A City Council Resolution Honoring the Life of
Cecil Ward
WHEREAS, Almighty God in His infinite wisdom and judgment has called Cecil Ward, an outstanding citizen of the 8th Ward and the City of Chicago, to his everlasting reward and returned to the heavenly realm on November 13, 2022; and
WHEREAS, This august Chicago City Council body has been informed of her passing by the Honorable Michelle A. Harris, Alderman of the 8th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Life began for Cecil in Gilmer, Texas with Ben and Berta Ward, his parents, in 1941. At an early age the family moved to Tyler, Texas where he grew up with his sister Mae Vaughn;and
WHEREAS, True Vine Baptist Church in Tyler was where Cecil's early spiritual growth began. He united with New Covenant M.B. Church in 1976 where he served as an usher; and
WHEREAS, He attended and graduated from Emmett Scott High School. Following graduation, he joined and served for eight years in the United States Air force. After his service in the Air Force he attended Northeastern and Illinois Institute of Technology; and
WHEREAS, Cecil married Linda Carroll Tyiska and was blessed to celebrate 56 years this past July. To this union a son, Brandon, was born; and
WHEREAS, Cecil worked at Human Services for the City of Chicago and was a computer analyst for the Chicago Fire Department until retirement.
WHEREAS, Dependable, reliable and generous are characteristics that depict who Cecil was. He was always willing to assist and help in getting a job or project done; and
WHEREAS, A favorite pastime of Cecil's was fishing, He often visited Tyler to engage in his passion and love for fishing with his mother and high school buddies; and
WHEREAS, His memory will be cherished by his wife, Linda; son, Brandon; grandson, B.J.; daughter-in-law, Debbie; mother, Berta Pickens; sister, Mae Vaughn; aunt, Willie Mae; sister-in-law, Alma; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and
THEREFORE, Be It Resolved, That the Mayor and members ofthe City Council ofthe City of Chicago, do hereby express our deep sorrow on the passing of and extend to his family our sincere condolences; and
Michelle A. Harris Alderman, 8th Ward
Be It Further Resolved That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Mr. Cecil Ward.