William Andrew Warner's Obituary
William “Bill” Andrew Warner was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on November 5, 1947, to his loving parents John Frederick Warner and Edna Cooke Warner. When he was 11 years old, he moved with his family to Roswell, New Mexico. He shared stories of growing up getting lost in Nebraska’s cornfields, of visiting grandparents for summers in Billings, Montana, of playing basketball for Roswell High, and of working with his brother John at The Plains Theater, which he always proudly shared became the UFO Museum in Roswell.
When he came to San Diego, California, to go to college, he met the ocean for the first time and fell in love. While volunteering at Neighborhood House in Logan Heights, he fell in love again, this time with his wife, Julie Warner. He graduated from United States International University in 1970 with a degree in business, and a few weeks later Julie and Bill were married. He held a few different jobs upon graduation, including being a substitute teacher, an assistant manager at Longs Drugs store, and an insurance agent for Northwestern Mutual.
Always being thoughtful about the kind of difference and impact he was making in the world, Bill made the choice to become an independent health and life insurance agent so that he would not be tied to selling insurance from one sole company. This way he would have the best chance of matching a person’s needs with the policy that best suited that person. While this sounds simple, it required a lot of determination and grit. Every morning, seven days a week, he would get up at three in the morning to deliver newspapers so he could make the money that he was not yet making in his business. Then he would go home, and five days out of the week, change into his suit to set about the work of creating a means to make a living while truly helping people in a way he found meaningful. He did this for a few years until his business could support itself and his family on its own. As a testament to the service he provided his community as an independent insurance agent, his clients remained loyal customers for years, even decades, and referred other people to him to help them with their insurance needs. He was also active in the Health Underwriters Association to advocate for his profession as a means to help the community, including working with legislators.
Bill was a loving father, and his love spilled over into the communities that his children were in. He was active in scouting in various roles, including Scoutmaster, where he guided youth on the journey to becoming thoughtful citizens and shared his passionate love of and respect for nature and the outdoors. Scouts always looked forward to an adventure canoeing the Colorado River every year because Bill cared enough to complete the required training to be water-trek certified and lead the planning for this fun-filled outing. He also volunteered as a religious education teacher at St. Mary Magdalene Church, took food to God’s Extended Hand for the homeless, and very much enjoyed singing in the church choir together with his wife. In short, he was always there to contribute in whatever way he could.
Throughout his life, Bill acted upon his belief in a God that loved everyone, and he demonstrated this with family as well as humanity as a whole. He passed away at the age of 76 years on November 8, 2023. He was preceded in death by his sisters Carolyn Myers and Mary Sue Warner, and is survived by his brother John Warner, all from Albuquerque, New Mexico. He leaves behind his wife Julie, his children Andrew, Lorena, and Paul, as well as his grandchildren Miguel, Mario, Isai, Logan, and Ethan. The best way to remember and honor Bill is to find your own way to make a difference and to continue the work of making our shared world a better and more loving place for all. In life, Bill donated to the Community Christian Service Agency (CCSA), KPBS, and the Sequoia Parks Conservancy, among many others. Please feel free to make a contribution to or volunteer at any charity of your choosing to remember him.
Services will be held at St. Mary Magdalene Church (1945 Illion Street, San Diego, CA 92110) on Saturday, December 9th. Rosary at 9:30am, Memorial Mass at 10:00am, followed by a reception in the church hall.
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