William Andrew (Bill) Ware, 93, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012, after a long illness. He was born on Dec. 6, 1918 in Franklin, Texas, to Carl Clifton and Lottie Mae Buffington Ware. He was united in marriage on Aug. 3, 1947, to Laura Maxine King at First Baptist Church in Plainview, Texas.The second of six children, he graduated from Dallas Technical High School in January 1937. After serving in the Army during WWII, he attended Wayland Baptist College in Plainview, Texas. William ran on the Wayland track team. He graduated in 1945 with a B.A. degree in English and Bible, and he met his future wife Laura Maxine King at the college. He graduated from Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas with a Master's of Divinity degree in 1953.Like many of the young men of his generation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army on Nov. 18, 1940. He attained the rank of Tech Sergeant in the 6th Army, 112th Cavalry, Troop H. His troop saw battle in New Caledonia, August 1942; Woodlark Island July 1943; Aitape, New Guinea June 1944; Leyte, Philippines November 1944; and Luzon, Philippines in January 1945.He was an avid reader of war histories, Zane Grey westerns, and Shakespeare. He loved golfing, attending local high school and New Mexico Highlands University sporting events, and was very fond of critiquing TV referees during Dallas Cowboy football games. He loved to sing and play the harmonica, and considered becoming a church song leader before being called to preach.William pastored Southern Baptist churches in Plainview, Texas; Point, Texas; Clayton; Hereford, Texas; and served as pastor for more than 27 years at First Baptist Church in Las Vegas. He retired from ministry in September 1992 but never quit serving the people of the church.He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl Clifton Ware and Lottie Mae Buffington Ware; brother, Clifton Ware; sister, Sue Towe and infant son, John Carl Ware.He is survived by his spouse, Maxine of the family home; his son and daughters, Paul Ware of Las Vegas, Margaret C'de Baca and Don C'de Baca of Grants, Kathy Franken and Alan of Las Vegas; grandchildren Jeff Franken of Albuquerque, Daniel Franken of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Julie Franken of Las Cruces; sisters, Margaret Jordan of Longview, Texas, Lottie Whitaker of Dallas, Barbara Freeman and Errol of Hollylake, Texas; special health care give and family friend Elizabeth Morse; numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends.Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 10 at the First Baptist Church 201 Mountain View Drive, Las Vegas. Homer Sutherland and Scott Hunt will officiate. Burial at the Santa Fe National Cemetery is pending with Leroy Bearce officiating.Pallbearers: Marc Conkle, Floyd Causey, Jay Harris, Jeff Franken, Daniel Franken, and Julie Franken. Honorary pallbearers: Charlie Goddard and Elizabeth MorseIn lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 54 Las Vegas, N.M. 87701.Arrangements are being conducted by Rogers Mortuary in Las Vegas. Condolences may be sent online at www.rogersmortuarynm.com.