Warner Hessler

HAMPTON - Warner Hessler, sports writer and editor, loving husband of Cindy, died of cancer on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008.
Warner was born in Water Valley, Miss., Sept. 14, 1942, to Warner Sr. and Hattie Mae Little. He graduated from Biloxi High School in 1961, the University of Mississippi in 1964, and the University of Southern Mississippi in 1966.
A highly accomplished sports editor and writer, Warner began his journalism career at The Daily Herald (now called the Sun Herald) on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1966, where he covered high school sports, Southeastern Conference Football, and the expansion of the New Orleans Saints.
From 1970 to 1983, at The Courier-Express (Buffalo New York), he covered the NFL Buffalo Bills for eight years, and then The Sabres, Buffalo's National Hockey League team for five years. Outside assignments covering the Toronto Blue Jays, Watkins Glen Grand Prix, The Winter Olympics, and several World Series', allowed him the opportunity to really learn the joys of competing against other newspapers for the story.
Warner started at The Daily Press in Newport News, Va., in 1983, as overall sports editor and took pride working together with editor, Skip Miller, to win three "best section" awards in Virginia in his first three years at the paper. For 21 years his permanent daily assignment was the Washington Redskins football team. Among other assignments, he enjoyed reporting on the Hampton Roads Admirals, and events at the Langley Speedway.
In 2004, Warner began a very enjoyable second career at Williams/Peninsula Honda in Hampton, Va. When he started, he had no sales experience. His plan was to "sell one car, prove I could do it, and then go fish". Four years and nearly 500 sales later, he took pride in using a friendly non-traditional approach to selling.
Throughout his journalism career, he covered 26 Super Bowls and won
state and Associated Press awards for his work at all three papers.
He enjoyed fishing, sports of all kinds, and country rock music.
Arrangements by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, Hampton, with viewing from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, Dec 1, followed by services at 4 p.m.
Friends are invited to return to the Hessler home after the services for friendship, food and story telling.
The family asks that donations be made to St. Michael's Catholic Church "The Fisherman's Church", P.O. Box 523, 177 First Street, Biloxi, MS 39530. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.