- Born
- Died
- Birth nameWillarene Ward
- Willa Ward was born on November 13, 1920 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. She was an actress, known for Beloved (1998), The Godmother of Rock & Roll: Sister Rosetta Tharpe (2011) and Rejoice and Shout (2010). She was married to Harry Royster and John Moultrie. She died on August 12, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
- SpousesHarry Royster(? - 1993) (his death)John Moultrie(? - 1966) (his death, 2 children)
- She is the last of the original Ward Sisters. The group was founded by their mother, Gertrude Ward, and included sister Clara Ward. She brought her daughters to the public in 1934 first known as the Consecrated Gospel Singers singing in churches along the East Coast. In 1943, they performed at the National Baptist Convention in Nashville, Tennessee with Willa singing the song, "If We Never Needed the Lord Before.".
- She left the Ward Singers in 1958 and formed a pop group, the Gay Charmers Trio, later with duo with Toni Rose. She sang backup for Scream Jay Hawkins, Chubby Checker, and Patti La Belle.
- Sister of Clara Ward.
- Her parents had moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from South Carolina. Her mother, Gertrude Ward died in 1981. She is survived by two daughters, Rita Scarlet and Charlotte Sims and two grandchildren. Her second husband, Harry Royster died in 1993. Clara died in 1973.
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