He was tried, convicted, and executed by lethal injection in Louisiana for the murder of his stepfather-in-law Wilbert John Spencer.
On the night of June 22, 1983, Ward arrived by bus in New Orleans, Louisiana from California, where he had just been released from jail after serving 60 days for molesting his 10-year-old daughter.
He went to the residence of Lydia and John Spencer, the mother and stepfather of his estranged wife, Linda.
Linda Ward and her brother, Ernest Scott, heard the shooting and ran from the house to get help from the neighbors.
After further investigation at the scene, the police realized who Ward was and arrested him for the murder of Wilbert John Spencer.
He declined to make a final statement, but dictated to his attorney: "I am leaving the world at peace with myself and with the Almighty.