Maurice William “Bill” Werner Sr., 75, of Winston-Salem, N.C., died Monday, Aug. 8, 2011, at his home.
He was born Oct. 22, 1935, on the family home near Fidelity, to Martin and Mary Grewing Werner. At a young age, he moved with his family to southeast Kansas. He attended country schools until the family moved to the Kincaid school district. He graduated from Kincaid High School in 1954.
Following graduation Bill joined the U.S. Air Force. After 21 years of honorable service, he retired as a master sergeant. Following his retirement for the Air Force, he worked for Varco-Pruden in Winston-Salem, retiring with 15 years of service.
During his military years he married Fannie Mae Edwards of North Carolina. Bill was an active member of American Legion Post No. 55 of Winston-Salem for many years and had served as finance officer and was instrumental in creating the American Legion Riders. He was known for his generosity, dependability, a strong work ethic and his simple direct approach to life.
Survivors include a son, Maurice William II and his wife, Ginger, Mount Airy, N.C.; a daughter, Christine Werner Booher and her husband, Lee, Elkin, N.C.; two grandchildren, Sierra and Sam Booher; his mother, Mary Werner, Bronson; brothers, Tom, Cherryvale, and Leo Werner and his wife, Vickie, Newton; a sister, Delores Smith and her husband Gary, Topeka; and a number of nieces, nephews, and his former wife and mother of his children, Mae Werner, Dobson, N.C.
He was preceded in death by his father, Martin J., two sisters, JoAnn and Cynthia, and two brothers, Martin R. “Pete” and Kenneth.
Memorial services were Sept. 4 in Winston-Salem. Chaplain Lloyd Houk conducted graveside services Friday in the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Scott.
Memorials to American Legion Post No. 55 may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701.
‘Bill’ Werner Sr.
