William Pittman Warren
December 23, 1925 ~ October 12, 2006
Resided in:
Candler, NC
William Pittman "Bill" Warren, 80, of Candler, died Thursday, October 12, 2006, at his home.
Bill was born in Princeton, NC, grew up in Swansboro, NC, and, following service in the US Navy, moved to Candler where he had lived since 1951. He was the son of the late Robert and Zora Pittman Warren. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Florence Hunter "Dixie" Warren and children, Rebecca Davidson, PhD, of Ithaca, NY, Christina W. Auman and husband Robert, of Columbia, SC and William P. Warren, Jr. and wife Cole of Cary, NC, as well as four grandchildren, Emily and Trevor Auman, and Hunter and Isaac Warren.
After graduating from Swansboro High School he served in the US Navy as a yeoman during WWII at Opalaka NAS Florida. Following his military service, Bill attended East Carolina University where he obtained a bachelor?s degree in business education and later a master?s degree from UNC-Greensboro. He received his school principal certification from Western Carolina University.
Bill spent his life pursuing his passion of providing educational opportunities for the children of Hominy Valley. He began his career at Candler High School, moving to Enka HS when the schools were consolidated. While there, he headed the business department, was the school treasurer, senior class sponsor and directed the senior class play. After getting his principal certification he served as principal of Venable Elementary, Candler Elementary and Enka High Schools. He was elected to the Buncombe County School Board in 1986, representing the Enka district and served until 1990.
After retiring from Buncombe County Schools, he served as principal at Asheville Catholic School and taught classes at AB-Tech. He chaired a committee that was responsible for the creation of the Jesse C. Krammer/Hominy Valley Scholarship Fund at the AB-Tech Foundation for the graduates of Enka HS.
A funeral mass for Mr. Warren will be celebrated by the Rev. Father James K. Solari at the Basilica of St. Lawrence, D.M. in Asheville on Monday, October 16, 2006 at 2:00 p.m., followed by interment at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Candler.
A drop-in and pot luck "Bill Warren Celebration" will be held from 2:00-5:00 p.m. Sunday at the home of Sue Buckner on Old Highway 19-23 in Candler. Friends and acquaintances are invited.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jesse C. Kramer/Hominy Valley Scholarship Fund, c/o AB-Tech, Attn: Anita Metcalf, 340 Victoria Road, Asheville, NC, 28801, or the William P. Warren Endowment at AB-Tech. The latter was created by a former student, Ray Cope, to honor Mr. Warren's services to education in Buncombe County and is for Buncombe County students pursuing studies in health related fields.
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I will never forget being sent to the office for the first time and Mr. Warren was the man I had to face. It was his first year being principle at Candler Elem. I was so scared and he made me cry but in the end he hugged me and I never got in trouble again. He really loved us and loved his job. Years later I was fortunate to be Mr. & Mrs. Warren’s Hygienist for 9 yrs. Bill was a great patient and came in every 3 months. We had great visits and he always asked me about my family and really cared. Mrs. Warren I was so shocked when I read the Sunday paper. I will be praying and thinking of you and I have missed seeing you guys the past year.God Bless you all.
Mrs. Warren, Bill, and Family, Our condelences on the passing of Mr. Warren. He has meant a lot to us personnally, and especially to the educational system of Buncombe County.
Mike, Tammy, Rachel and David Allen
I recall many stimulating conversations with W.P. about education, particularly when he was seeking a seat on the Buncombe County Board of Education. He and I became close and we shared a great concern about equal educational opportunities for all students. He appointed me to a dropout committee and to the Enka High Advisory Council, tasks I was delighted to perform. As a reporter for The Enterprise, I found him to be genuine and caring, not only about education but also about the students. He is one man that can not be replaced.
I have been very privilege to have had Mr. Warren as a teacher and motivator in my life. I am very sure that I am only one of many who feel the same. He was alway trying to explain that we need to be prepare for our grown up world. Little did we know at the time he was right in what he was trying to prepare us for.
Even though I did not see or talk to him very often, he will be missed and alway remembered. Sandra Henson, Year of 1967 Graduate from Enka High School
Dixie, Becky, Bill, Tina & families:
Please accept our heartfelt smyphathy for your loss of Bill. He made a tremendous impact on so many lives. He will be greatly missed.
We have surely witnessed the passing of a great and wonderful individual in Mr. Warren. It is highly unlikely, that quite a great number of folks in our area, could have acheived their goals without his tutiledge and guidance. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mrs. Warren and her family. It was truly an honorable pleasure to know Bill Warren.
Jim Farmer, Class of 1970
Debra Farmer
I am thinking of you guys often.
Blake Pittman
brother of Cole Warren
Dear Dixie and family,
I am truly sorry for your loss. Mr.Warren was a very caring educator and friend to those that knew him. I will never forget the piggy back ride he gave me around the gym at a pep rally when we won the volleyball state championship in the fall of ’82. His excitement and support for our team was not to be matched.
He was also a dear friend to my father T.G.DeWeese. I am sure my dad is glad to see him and they are sharing stories as I am writing this.
I also enjoyed working with you Dixie.
My thoughts and prayers will be with you.
God Bless You,
Susan
Mr. Warren was the strong and caring person I needed when I was at EHS. He was very special. My prayers are with his family at this difficult time.
Mrs. Warren,
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Warren’s passing. I remember the two of you very fondly. He was a driving force in my educational life. I remember the lessons he taught us. I have went back many times to the Lesson’s learned at Enka during the last few years at LSU. I have had to write many times my philosophy of education which was influenced in many ways by Mr. Warren.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Enka Class of 1983
Thanks for everything. GOD bless.
Mrs. Warren,
Your loss is great but please take comfort in the many, many lives that Mr. Warren touched. He made a positive difference to both educators and students.
Warmest regards to your family,
Our prayers are with the family …Bill will be greatly missed. He touched so many in Hominy Valley….
Dixie, Tina and family: My sympathy and prayers go out to you in the loss of such a respected and revered husband, father and community leader. I want to speak on behalf of my brother Sam Kiser who passed away on Aug. 24, 2004 in saying what a powerful influence Bill was on Sam. Sam admired Bill as a person of integrity and self-discipline and he looked to Bill as a personal role model. Be comforted in knowing that Bill’s legacy and influence will be passed on to future generations.
I just heard about Mr Warren’s death and am sadden by his departure, yet know he is with his Savior. How fortunate my class of 54 got to share our 5Oth reunion with he and his lovely wife in 2004. He was a wonderful teacher and inspired us all to continue our education and to achieve in life. God bless the family and know you are in my prayers.
Mrs. Warren and family, I was so sorry to hear of Mr. Warren’s passing. When I was a senior (Class of 66), he was my homeroom teacher and also several business classes. He expected us to do our best and when you did he was your biggest advocate. His encouragement has stayed with me through the years. He was a huge influence on our community. He will be greatly missed.
Mr. Warren was the best teacher that I ever had in school. He was my homeroom teacher one year as well as I had him for business classes for several years. I could never thank him enough for all that he taught me, not just in the class but for my future life in business and how to treat others. There will never be another Mr. Warren. He will be truly missed. I count it an honor to have known him. The family is in my prayers during the difficult days ahead. In Christ and Love.
I was deeply saddened when a call from the mountains came to me today giving me the news that ‘Mr. Enka’ had gone home to be with God. Mr. Warren was both an encouragement and a mentor to me. Through the years and over the miles I have traveled, I still carry a part of him with me. The lessons he taught and the friendship he gave me at a difficult time in my life will never fade away. My prayers are with all of his sweet family who influenced my life and taught me so much. May God Bless You and Comfort You and Remind You Of His Promise That We Will See Mr. Warren Again. Doug Lance
May God Bless each of you in this difficult time in your life. Remember all the good times and the wealth of care he gave to the children of Hominy Valley.
Mrs. Warren and family – I was truly shocked and saddened to hear about Mr. Warren’s passing. I was lucky enough to have him as my principal for 10 of my 12 school years. I will never forget his annoucements at Venable reminding us to ‘get your academic house in order.’ The love and commitment he showed to his students was remarkable, and will always be remembered. He definitely influenced the person I am today.
Sincerly,
Julie Garner Wilson
Class of 1984 – Enka High
Dear Dixie,
I was unable to attend the services for Bill, but wanted to express my sympathies to you and your family. I was priviledged to know him both as a co-teacher and principal. Knowing him both personally and professionally was of great value to me.
Dear Warren family,
I am saddened by your loss, but I am so glad that Mr. Warren was a part of my life and that of my family. He was an extraordinary teacher and friend to us all and challenged us to be the best we could be in our own communities. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you deal with his passing.
Mr. Warren was one of the most influencial people in my life – a wonderful man, teacher, human being. He was a teacher we all dreaded but were extremely proud and never forgot when he said ‘well done’ – Iam sure God has now said that to him. Dixie you have my deepest sympathy.
I was in the Enka High class of 1967. Mr. Warren was probably the most influencial person in my life. All my classes were with him my senior year. It was the first class that the Business Dept. could work for credit. My Dad had passed away two years prior and I really needed to work. Mr. Warren helped me get a job with Wachovia Bank and all his help and support started me out and kept me with good work ethics and I have had a good career from that time forward. I ran into him and Dixie a few months ago and was thrilled that he recognized me after all the years.
My condolences to all the family in your loss of such a fine man.
Jane Harris
Dixie, Tina and Warren Family,
Like hundreds of others who passed through the doors of Enka High School, I hold strong memories of Mr. Warren. He was a man who followed his heart and his calling. He treated students with positive expectations. He believed in us and in turn challenged all of us to believe in ourselves. Many of us listened. Those who did, still carry the benefits of having listened and grown from knowing Bill Warren. He remained a lifelong friend and positive mentor. My thoughts, prayers and sorrow go out to each of you.
Dearest Ms. Warren & Family,
I share your sadness at the death of Mr. Warren. He was a wonderful educator, motivator and friend to me while I was a student at Candler High School and later at Enka High School. It was a comment that he made as I was finally in the wings to receive my diploma that inspired me to continue my education and receive my BS in Business Administration.
May the blessed Holy Spirit of God be with each of you in your grief to comfort and befriend you in the absence of your husband and father. May God richly bless you is my prayer.
I remember being told that if I had either Mr. Warren or Mrs. Kramer for any of my senior classes, I would be in trouble.. I had both of them and they each had a profound influence on me. Bill Warren was the man who set me on the straight and narrow in the 12th grade, and for that I am thankful. I had seen him numerous times in the past few years and he never failed to give me a firm handshake and a heartfelt hug. I’ll miss you, Bill…
Jack Seaver
class of ’66
EHS
Dear Dixie and Family, It was my pleasure to have worked with Mr. Warren at Venable Elementary School.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during your time of grief.
Dixie and Family, Sorry to hear that you have lost Bill and I will be thinking of you all during this difficult time. Jane Luther
Dixie, I want to express my sympathy to you and the rest of your family. I so cherish the fact that Mr. Warren was part of my time at Enka High School and working with the Seniors on Arsnic and Old Lace. I also appreciated having him as my 1st principal at Venable Elementary. May God bless you and the rest of your family.
May God’s grace and peace be your in abundance.
Mrs. Warren,
Even though I didn’t have Mr. Warren in class, (Enka graduate ’69) my life was better having know him through the years. His love of education was so remarkable in the many conversations I had with him. His memory will live on in the lives of the many people he came in contact with.
My prayers and sympathy go out to you and your family.
Marvin Smith
Mrs. Warren and Family-
I’m truly saddened to hear about ‘WP’. I have such great respect and admiration for him, and will miss him greatly. I have many fond memories of him during my freshman year at Enka, as well as my visits to your home. You are all in my thoughts and prayers, and will continue to be during the coming months.
Mrs. Warren–no words are adequate, but if you need anything, you know that I treasure your friendship and would do anything for you!
I am sorry to hear about your loss. Mr. Warren will be sadly missed. I remember him at Enka when I was a Sr. He really got involved with the students and helped us anyway he could. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
…for the Lord shall be thine
everlasting light, and the days
of thy mourning shall be ended.
Isaiah 60:20
May you remember always
that, for every sorrow,
there is comfort…
for every sadness,
there is healing…
for each loss–
the promise of new life.
With Sympathy,
Nancy Wright Sluder
So sorry for your loss. We as parents and students were blessed to have had Mr.Warren in our lives. We will always remember him with fondness and appreciation.
Dixie and Family,
Jack and I send our thoughts and prayers for you at this sad time. All of Bill’s family and students have lost a friend and an academic cheerleader as he sought to promote the best efforts of his students and staff. We have asked about both of you over the years and did not know of his illness. Dixie, you have a loving family and friends to comfort you. Your family is one to be proud of, and I know you both are. Give them our condolences.
Jeanne and Jack Mulvaney
Mrs. Warren,
I am saddened to hear of Mr. Warren’s passing. Please know you and your family is in my thoughts and prayers during this time. I was in the first graduating class of Enka High School and Mr. Warren was my home room teacher and I had him for several business classes. He was one of the best.
Mr. Warren mentored and encouraged so many students at Enka High School. He saw potential in us and gave us direction. I will always be grateful for his leadership and guidance. (Sandra Clark Bowers Class of 1971)
As my mother’s (late-Kay Ball Hamlin) high school mentor I know that Mr. Warren’s influence into my life started before I was born and even before he was my Principal at Venable Elementary in the late 70’s. I hope I honor your memory in my Physics classroom and that your giant shoulders will influence many children for years to come. You still influence me and always will. Thank you, Mr. Warren.
My sister worked with Mr. Warren at Enka High School. She taught english for seven years but was killed in a car accident in 1970 on her way home from school. I know that she thought highly of Mr. Warren. Even though it has been many years, I still remember her speaking of him. My thoughts are with your family and I know my sister, Patricia Burgin , would want her famuly to keep all of you in our prayers.
I am so sorry to hear of Bill Warren’s passing.
I had a number of influential teachers but Bill Warren was at the top of the list.
He expected things from you.
But part of that expectation was the confidence in you that you could do it and he was the first teacher who was direct enough with me to say those kinds of things.
I still hear his voice after all these years, ‘Dean, You need self-discipline.’? And I did.
‘Dean, you can do this!’? And with his encouragement and help, I did.
But the words that echo the most are, ‘I Love You.’?
So sorry to hear about the passing of the best educator I ever came in contact with. Mr. Warren is the reason I graduated at all.. I guess there is not enough space to write how I feel about him, just that he will always be remembered in my as the best leader Enka High School ever had. You are in my prayers Mrs Warren… Steve Yarborough, Enka High Class of 1984
I was sorry to hear of the passing of the man who challenged me and taught me about life. His influence on thousands of students will not be forgotten. I wish I could be there with you. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Of all life’s happy moments,
The nicest to recall are those touched by true friendship,the dearest gift of all. For the lovely thoughts and kindly deeds and words that bring us pleasure make life’s garden bright and sweet in ways we cannot measure. Life is filled with sunshine, with warmth and joy to share, when hands reach out in friendship…where there are hearts that care.
Mr. Warren had the happy knack of doing thoughtful things, friendly things that warmed the heart and definitely made nice memories. He had such special helpful ways of showing that he cared and always with a smile. He had ‘the gift of friendship’…WHAT A LOVELY GIFT TO SHARE! Thanks, Mr. and Mrs. Warren for sharing it with me!
He taught me classes in Candler High School. He was very thorough and wanted everyone to do their best. I was told over and over by other students that ‘I was teachers pet!’ I didn’t mind that because he was one of the greatest teachers I had. I have always admired him for his intelligence, knowledge, and the ‘know how’ to participate in all that he did to better the education of others.
Mrs. Warren I thank you and he for all these years of sharing a friendship of love and caring with me. I will hold you and your family in my heart in the days ahead and remember you in prayer.
May God bless and keep you close in His tender, loving care.
Dixie, Lorraine and I were extremely sorry to hear about Bill’s passing. Please know that you have our deepest sympathy. I regret that I cannot be with you at this time, but will visit you in November when I return to Candler. I will always be grateful that I had the opportunity to work with Bill and know a man that believed so passionately in the students of Hominy Valley. Please know that I intend to take a long walk today and reflect on the many gifts of kindness and inspiration that you both shared with me and my family over the years.
The influence Mr Warren made on my life as well as my late husband’s (James Bud Warren)life will never be forgotten. Mrs Warren you and your family will be in my prayers.
Mr. Warren was a great business education teacher. He challenged each of us to do our best, and he prepared us for ‘real’ people in a real world. (Class of 1958)
Hallie and I respected Mr. Warren very much. There are people in our lives whose influence we never forget nor want to. We have reflected on many memories this week since learning of Mr. Warren’s passing. He and his family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mrs. Warren, Our deepest sympathy is extended to you and your family. My cousin and her husband, Deborah & Jim Farmer, attend church with you at St.Lawrence. Neil and I both had Mr. Warren as a teacher at Enka. He was truly a remarkable person who made an indelible mark in the most
positive way on our education. He was a most unqiue individual!
Sincerely,
Dennis W. Jordan (Class of 1967)
James Neil Jordan (Class of 1970)
Bill Jr. was my best buddy in high school, and I have fond memories of his parents. Mr. Warren always spoke to me as an equal, which always took me aback since he was sort of an icon in the educational community. My friend Bill was lucky to have a such a dad, and the Enka community was lucky to have such a crusader, passionately fighting for quality education. Mr. Warren has left quite an imprint! Mary and I are very sorry we found out too late to come to the funeral. Please accept our heartfelt condolences. May God bless the Warren family.
The sadness of this loss is beyond any words of comfort that might be expressed. There is no one of good heart though, who would not want to try.
Please know that my prayers go out to the family. God is Love and that love binds us all.
Dear Mrs. Warren and Family:
It was such a shock to read about my dear old friend and former teacher’s death. If it were not for him I would not be typing this! What a wonderful teacher, mentor, and community leader he was. The hundreds of students, faculty members, and citizens that crossed his path will always hold his memory dear to their hearts. Those of us who were fortunate enough to sit in his typing and bookkeeping classes at dear old Candler High School will always be grateful for the caring, dedicated, and knowledgeable teacher that he was.
He will be sorely missed by our community.
My deepest sympathy to all of you.
Lowell Smith
(Candler High class of 1955)
I have such fond memories of Mr. Warren from Enka High School. My sincere sympathy to you all. (Class of 1972)
As I approach the age that Mr Warren at the time of his passing, I a struck with sadness and yet uplifted by positive thoughts of the influence he had on my life. A great mentor, he believed in an guided me, encouraged me to excel, and generally was a good and supporting friend. I regret that I did not tell him, or Dixie who was also a guiding light, this nearly enough. Let that be also be a lesson to us all – – to not delay telling those we care about how much we appreciate them.
Mike DeBruhl EHS Class of 1964