Warren M. Widener

Warren Meredith Widener, 91, of Nampa, ID passed away May 5, 2018, surrounded by loved ones. Warren, son of Harold Otho and Ella Blanche (Whitson) Widener, was born in Twin Falls, ID on January 9, 1927, and grew up on his family’s farm. During his senior year of high school, Warren received his official Order to Report letter and joined the United States Army in May 1945. He served in Heidelberg, Germany, as a motor sergeant in charge of servicing ambulance vehicles and assisting medical staff. After his honorable discharge from the military in January 1947, Warren moved to Pocatello, ID and began attending Idaho State University to major in the auto body repair and restoration trade. Here, he met and later married Dorothy Ann Washington on August 8, 1948. The couple moved to Nampa, ID where they had two daughters, Ruth Ellen and Lois Jean. Warren spent most of his career years working in the Treasure Valley as an “auto body man.” 
Following Dorothy’s death, Warren met his wife of 48 years, Patsy Kinsey Smith. The couple married on July 3, 1968, and resided in Boise, ID before moving to Caldwell, ID to enjoy retirement in their secluded country home. There, Warren built a spacious recreational barn, complete with surround sound music and a hardwood dance floor. He and Patsy shared this space with their local community by hosting monthly dances for adults with special needs. They also enjoyed spending time with their family, camping with their grandchildren and dogs, gardening, and traveling to new places in their RV. Warren’s hobbies included restoring old vehicles, especially his pick-up truck, building and flying remote-controlled model airplanes, caring for his many dogs and cats, feeding wild birds, and watching the goldfish in his backyard pond. 
Warren will be remembered for his witty sense of humor that sometimes only he understood, for his generosity with anyone who needed his help or a place to stay, and for his sweet smile which he freely shared with those closest to him. In his own words, Warren wanted his family to know that “Possessions at the end of your life don’t really have any meaning. Instead, live life fully every day you get. Stop, smell the roses, enjoy the birds that fly around, and try to see the humor in everything you can.” Warren was preceded in death by his parents, his wives, his daughter, Lois Widener Sims, and his grandson, Lee Ryan Sims. He is survived by his sister Lois (Bill) Alworth, sister Carol Whitson, daughter Ruthie (Doug) Nye, step-son Chris (Becky) Smith, four grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery at a later date. 

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