Ward Alexander Cheney, 88, Rapid City, passed away Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at Hospice of the Hills in Rapid City. Ward was born June 27, 1926 in Sioux Falls. Adopted as an infant by Dr. and Mrs. James H. Cheney, Ward was raised in a loving home that instilled public service and caring for his fellow man. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1943 during WWII and proudly served in the submarine service in the Pacific theater, highlighted by his attendance in Tokyo Bay for the surrender of Japan. Upon his honorable discharge he married the love of his life, Dona Doss on June 6, 1948 in Sioux Falls. In 1955 they moved to Rapid City and Ward became a fixture in the home building industry from Canada to Texas and over the many decades he was responsible for thousands of homes throughout the Midwest. While in Rapid City, they raised seven children. In 1970 Ward relocated to Texas and later to Oklahoma to further the residential and commercial building endeavors he so loved. In 1993, Ward retired and moved back to Rapid City. It was evident that there were still people that could use his help and expertise, leading to significant volunteer activities with Habitat for Humanity and the Senior Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE). He was soon on the Board for Habitat, Chairman of the local chapter and District Director for SCORE. Ward was an active member of the First Congregational Church and many organizations where he received a wealth of awards, such as Lifetime Member of the Benevolent Order of the Elks, he achieved Master Mason with 71 years of service. He is a Lifetime Member of the local Rushmore VFW Post 1273. Ward and Dona traveled extensively to maintain contact with a far flung family that in later life would include two younger brothers that he would be re-united with in 1994; Forrest Zimmermann and Robert Zimmerman, and his extended family including cousins Jim and Marilyn Schumacher and Penn and Roberta Williams. Ward was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Mary Grethen. Ward loved his family and will be dearly missed by his wife Dona, his children, Ward Jr (Cathy) Cheney, Sand Springs, OK; Cam (Harold) Miller and Jamie (Dave) Holbrook, all of Rapid City; Scot (Debbie) Cheney, Guthrie, OK; Sky Cheney, Houston, TX; Leslie (Ken) Mullins, Kansas City, MO; Lana (Brodie) Brodersen, Hooper, NE; nephew David Grethen, CA; 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Ward arose every morning to a bright and promising day and strived to help someone. The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the loving Hospice organization of Rapid City and the excellent care afforded by the Fort Meade VA staff.