VIDEO TRIBUTE

Willis Benjamin Warner II, 64, died Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, in Dodge City. A life-time resident of Ford County, he was born July 26, 1944, in Dodge City to John Jacob Warner and Ruby Elinor (Johnson). He married Ann Louise Teter on June 11, 1967, in Dodge City. She survives.

Willis was a life-time stockman and following in his grandfather and father's footsteps, owned and managed the Black Diamond Angus Ranch until the day of his passing. He took pride in his Angus herd which earned numerous performance awards over the years. He served in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1964, stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, Ft. Knox, and in Frankfurt, Germany. Mr. Warner was a member of the American Angus Assn., Kansas Angus Assn., National Cattleman's Beef Assn., Kansas Livestock Assn., Kansas Cattleman's Assn., Ford County Historical Society, and Dodge City/Ft. Dodge/Cimarron Chapter of the Santa Fe Trail. For sixteen years, Willis and Ann hosted the Sawlog 'N' Strings Bluegrass Festival with Ron and Diane Cole in the Warner Grove, where the ranch centennial was also held in 1984.

Other survivors include five children: Monica Walker and husband, Dustin, with children Mariah, Marissa, and Maleah, Seymour, TX; Melissa Wright and husband, Erick, with daughter Grace, Gainesville, TX; Marcella Holman and husband, John, Spearville; Willis B. Warner III, Seattle, WA; and Myrinda Warner, New Orleans, LA. He is also survived by four siblings: Elaine Pohlmann, Dodge City; Kathleen Long and husband, Harvey, Odenton, MD; Jack Warner, Wright; and Kelvin Warner, Dodge City. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday, January 8, 2009, at Swaim Funeral Home in Dodge City. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, January 9, 2009, at Swaim Funeral Home with the Rev. Gary Winget presiding. Burial will be at the Warner Cemetery, Black Diamond Angus Ranch, Spearville, with military rites by Howard Gotschall Post #1714 V.F.W. The family suggests memorials be given to the Hodgeman County 4-H Foundation in care of Swaim Funeral Home. Personal condolences may be left at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.