Gleaner Life pays tribute to Bill B. Warner

July 16, 2024

Gleaner Life Insurance Society pays tribute to former Vice President and Board of Directors Chairman Bill B. Warner, who passed away surrounded by family July 12, 2024, in Adrian, Michigan. Warner, 85, helped transform the Society’s outreach, especially from 1972 to 2001 when he led what is now known as Gleaner’s Community Engagement Department.

From the start of his Gleaner career as an agent in 1965 in Wood County, Ohio, to his retirement from the Board in 2013, Bill’s sense of humor endeared him to thousands of members. He sparked a generation of memories within the Gleaner fraternal benefit society at conventions, benevolent projects, member trips, state associations, and other activities.

“Bill Warner Sr. was a dedicated Gleaner agent, employee, senior Officer, Board Director, and Board Chair of the Society over the course of his long life insurance career,” Gleaner Life Interim President and CEO Kevin Marti stated. “He was the Board Chair when I was selected as the President and CEO of the Society in June, 2012. I had the privilege of working closely with him during my first two years at Gleaner and kept in touch with him over the years. My deepest sympathy to the Warner family on the loss of their beloved patriarch.”

Bill was born June 1, 1939, to Ruth and Basil Warner in Bowling Green, Ohio. In 1950, Bill met Sharon Garner in Jerry City, Ohio. Bill claimed that he fell in love with Sharon when he saw her roller skating down the street in pigtails. They were married in 1957 and enjoyed a loving partnership for nearly seven decades. He and Sharon split their time between Blissfield, Michigan, and Sebring, Florida.

Warner, a U.S. Army veteran, was picked to become Gleaner’s first supervisor of fraternal activities in 1972. He was promoted to Fraternal Vice President in 1976. His tenure on the Board was from 2001-2013.

“Starting as a field representative in Bowling Green, Ohio, I learned very quickly that Gleaner truly is ‘A Friend of the Family,’” Bill wrote in 2001 when he announced plans to retire from the Home Office.

Bill was predeceased by his brother, Gary Warner, his parents, Ruth and Basil, and his sister, Linda Warner Myles. Bill is survived by his wife, Sharon; daughter, Cindy Gillen; and three sons, Bill O. Warner, a Gleaner agent; Todd Warner, the Society’s Chief Financial and Investment Officer; and Chris Warner, who met his wife while a Gleaner intern; their spouses; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

No service will be held in honor of Bill’s wishes. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Spring Lake Presbyterian Church, 5887 US Highway 98, Sebring, FL 33876, or Hospice of Lenawee, 1903 Wolf Creek Highway, Adrian, MI 49221.