Raymond Lee Ware

Raymond Lee Ware passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 in Dallas, Texas at the age of 82.

Raymond will be honored at a Graveside gathering and a Memorial Service on Wednesday, January 27, 2021. Graveside Service at 11:00am at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery of Abilene, 7457 West Lake Road, Abilene, TX 79601 and a Memorial Service at 1:00pm at the Oldham Lane Church of Christ, 5049 Oldham Lane, Abilene, TX 79604. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd.

Raymond was born on May 26, 1938 in Wynona, Oklahoma to Earl Haskell and Anna Rowden Ware. He graduated from Basic High School in Henderson, Nevada in 1957. The day after graduation he reported to the Navy in Long Beach, California. He served on the USS Taluga for two years. He returned to Long Beach where he then attended Long Beach College to study Engineering. In 1960 he married his long time friend, Glenda Clepper in Henderson. They lived in Garden Grove, California until 1969 when they moved to Anaheim where they lived until 2002. He was a Civil Engineer for the City of Westminster, California for 33 years until he retired and he and Glenda moved to Abilene in 2002.

Raymond served as a deacon of the State College Church of Christ in Anaheim for 12 years and then served as an elder for 23 years. He served as a Deacon of The Oldham Lane Church of Christ in Abilene from March of 2005 until 2011.

Raymond is survived by his wife of 60 years, Glenda Clepper Ware; children, Kenneth Lee Ware and his wife Lorri of Abilene, Texas; Philip Alan Ware and his wife Rhonda of College Station, Texas, grandchildren Sierra Ware Lackey, Montie and Great Granddaughter Adelynn of Abilene, Rylee Ware of Montgomerey, Alabama, Kendra Ware and her fiancé Garron Hamilton of Abilene, and Garrett Ware of College Station; Raymond’s brothers James Ware and his wife Margaret of Henderson, Nevada, Charles Ware of Tonopah, Nevada, and sister Carmen Crosby and her husband Gary of Silverton, Washington.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Haskell and Florice Ware, and stepfather, Gus Guy.

Raymond was a loving and caring man and has touched so many lives in his 82 years. He never had a negative word to say about anyone. He was always making things out of wood including toys for children such as swords and doll beds. He asked the little boys to memorize scriptures mentioning swords and then he would give them a wooden sword that he had made. Many remember Raymond well. 

Raymond has always put God first in his life and made a point to share his faith with everyone. In his journal that he kept since 1967, on the first page he wrote, “To make a decision, Pray to God!!!!!!!” A rule which he lived by every day.

Pallbearers are Rylee Ware, Garrett Ware, Montie Lackey, Garron Hamilton, John Brashears and David Ware.

Raymond’s family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the Medical Staff of Baylor Medical Center of Dallas, Friends and Family of Oldham Lane Church of Christ of Abilene and Friends and Family of the State College Church of Christ in Anaheim, California.