Tributes

Our Lord welcomed his faithful servant William Ellis Ware into his eternal home on January 23, 2023. Bill was born to Ellis Barton Ware and Agnes Gaynell Wiederspahn Ware at the family farm in Bartlett Texas on July 25, 1937. While attending the University of Texas he worked for the U. S. Forestry Service in the summers of 1958 – 1960, manning a lookout tower on Indian Mountain near McCall, Idaho. After graduating from the University of Texas in January 1961, he served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves from 1961-1967. In February of 1961 he began work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company where he worked In Texas and St Louis, Missouri until his retirement as Assistant Comptroller, Corporate Taxes in December 2000. He married Margaret (Meg) Mehl in Kansas City, Missouri on December 23, 1967. They were blessed with three children – Liesel Urban of San Antonio, Sara Lianne Ware of Dallas and Michael Ware of Anna, Texas. Bill enjoyed family and friends above all. If he made a friend, it was a lifelong friendship. He became a Big Brother to Daniel Georges in 1966. They kept their brotherhood until Dan’s death in December, 2022 Traveling with his family was one of his pleasures. He and Meg made several trips to Europe and he fulfilled a bucket list goal of visiting all fifty states. He was an enthusiastic outdoorsman. Many vacations were spent hiking camping, canoeing and rafting. His love of nature was passed to his children, and with his son Michael, it took the form of involvement in Boy Scouts. He served on the St Louis Boy Scout Council, was a leader of troop 920 of Salem Lutheran Church of Black Jack, Missouri. He earned his leadership Wood Badge and was awarded the District Polaris award from the St. Louis North Star District. He made three trips to Philmont Ranch and three high adventure trips to the Boundary Waters in Minnesota. He enjoyed gardening, especially growing roses. He was an avid member of the Rose Society of Greater St. Louis and later the San Antonio Rose Society. He earned the status of Master Consulting Rosarian with the American Rose Society and was an accredited judge. He was very active in his church, first at Salem Lutheran Church in Black Jack Missouri and then at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio. He served in many capacities, including congregational president, elder and Bible class leader. Bill was preceded in death by his parents E. B. and Agnes Ware, and brothers -law Harry White and Bruce Harrison. He is survived by his wife Meg; daughters Liesel Urban and Lianne Ware, son Michael and daughter- law Jennifer; his grandchildren Angel Stivason, Alynne Urban, Mikki Urban, Steven Urban, Jr., Ashlyn Ware, Madelyn Ware, Lilly Ware; great grandchildren Braxton and Zealand Stivason; his three sisters Jean White, Linda Smith and Sara Harrison, brother-in-law Butch Smith; as well as 21 nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 17, 2023, 5-7 pm at the Mission Park Funeral Chapels North 3401 Cherry Ridge Drive San Antonio, TX. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at Crown of Life Lutheran Church on Stone Oak San Antonio, TX. His eternal home is now in heaven with his Savior Jesus Christ.

Tributes

William "Bill" Ellis Ware

July 25, 1937 - January 23, 2023