William R. Widner

Dr. William R. Widner April 24, 1920 - January 16, 2008 Dr. William Andrew Richard Dick Widner of Waco, Texas passed away in Houston, Texas at St. Luke Hospital on Wednesday, January 16, 2008. Services will be on Monday, January 21, at 2:00 p.m. at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel with Dr. Glenn Hilburn officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, January 20th, from 3-5 p.m. at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. Dr. Widner was born in Three Brothers, Arkansas on April 24, 1920. Dick was the oldest of seven children born to Walter Dobie Widner and Sehrena Long Widner. He attended Eastern New Mexico University and received his B.A. in 1942; his M.S. in 1948 and his Ph.D. in 1952 from University of New Mexico. Dick served 4 years active duty with the United States Navy during WWII, spending the remainder of his service with US Naval Reserves, retiring as a Captain. He was an Industrial Hygienist at the Atomic Energy Commission from 1952-1955; Science Teacher at Albuquerque Indian School from 1955-1956. He was a professor of Biology at Howard Payne College from 1956-1959. In 1959, he moved to Waco, where he was a Professor of Biology at Baylor University for 30 years, retiring in 1989 as Professor Emeritus. He was an avid sportsman with a love of hunting, fishing, gardening, dancing, traveling and all sports. He was a competitive marksman earning many high honors. He was a member of Ridgewood Country Club, Waco Kiwanis Seniors, a 32nd Degree Mason of over 50 years and a Past Master of J.H. Gurley Lodge #337, Scotish Rite, York Rite and a member of the Karem Shrine of Waco. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Rutherford; and his son, Bill. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Dorothy Anne deGeurin Hepler Widner; a stepson and his wife; one grandson; one brother; four sisters and one brother-in-law; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends. Pallbearers are Steve Allen, Ed Bashara, Bob Bradshaw, Newman Copeland, Kevin Greenwalt, Bill Haskett, Bill Hillis, Dalton Jaynes, Frank Karaffa, Owen Lind, Howard Mauldin, Frank Nix, Buddy Obenoskey, Bill Parks, Tommy Renchler, Tommy Riggs, Ed Starnes, Bill Story, Bud Unell, Clayton Uran, Honorary pallbearers are Fain Johnson, The Past and Present members of the Biology Department at Baylor University, Kiwanis Seniors of Waco, Legion of Honor and Royal Order of Jesters. Memorials may be made to The Shriner Hospital for Children or the charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our Memorial Guestbook at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.