Both of the Ward Brothers were waterfowl hunters and guides. They worked in their barbering trade, and in their spare time, they made and painted their own decoys.

Steve would say that Lem was the perfectionist between the two, going beyond the simple design to make decoys that were more active, such as making them look like they were preening, while others appeared to be bathing. While built for the practical use of hunting, Lem seemed to veer more into the ornamental practice of decoy carvings.

Out of the two, Steve seemed to be the main carver while Lem took to painting, but both still performed both parts. Lem excelled in painting more, capturing nature in the sculptures, and taking bits of Crisfield traditions into his own technique. In the end, the decoys these brothers made that have lasted to this day remain collectable pieces of folk art.

Through the Great Depression, the two brothers continued their trade, pushing decoys a bit more than the barbering trade, and after a while, made decoys for the Bishops Head Club in Maryland and the White Mallard Club in California. They also sold through VL&A Sporting Goods Store in Chicago.

The world auction record for a decoy by the Ward Brothers is a pintail hen that Guyette & Deeter, Inc. sold for $201,250 in 2016.