Willard Lee Ware

Willard Lee Ware, 99, a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, entered into His glory on February 9, 2013, in Charlotte, NC. He was born on May 25, 1913 in Knoxville, TN to the late Walter Lee Ware and Arva Zena Hunt Ware. He was a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1942 until 1945, serving in the World War II theaters of North Africa and Italy. After his discharge from the Army in 1945, he worked as a civilian Confinement Officer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Belvoir, VA until his retirement in 1970. Leading an active post-retirement life, Willard drove a school bus for several years in Prince William County, VA, and established a childrens day-care center in Woodbridge, VA which he operated for 13 years with his wife, Margaret Pat Ware. While residing in Charlotte, NC, he delivered Meals on Wheels for six years and volunteered at the Presbyterian Hospital there. Willard and Pat lived in Roanoke, VA, from July 1983 until August 2011, during which time they were very active members of Greene Memorial United Methodist Church. There, he and Pat established the Caring Committee through which they delivered food to the needy and were in charge of the flower plantings in front of the church. Willard was also a dedicated volunteer at the Samaritan Inn and RAM House and delivered Meals on Wheels in Roanoke for over 20 years. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Margaret Pat Patterson Ware. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Jerry Kandies of Troutdale, VA and Debra and Don Hatley of Charlotte, NC; son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Robin Ware of New Bern, NC; daughter, Emily Wooten of Roanoke, VA; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Marie Ware McDonald of Alexandria, VA; and sisters-in-law, Marie Chitwood and Dorothy Moore of Roanoke. A visitation reception will be held on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 beginning at 12 Noon in the Greene Memorial Church Welcoming Center in Roanoke. A memorial service will then begin at 1 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Burial will immediately follow at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem. Memorial contributions may be made to the Samaritan Inn at 543 Salem Avenue, SW in Roanoke, VA 24016. An online guestbook is available at www.johnmoakey.com. The Ware family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home and Crematory in Salem, 540-389-5441.