Emmel "Warren" Anderson

Warren 'Flew West' peacefully at the age of 89 on July 17, 2025 at his home in Wimberley, Texas, surrounded by family. He was born January 1, 1936 in Big Spring, Texas to Willie Mae Casey Anderson and Vernon Taylor Anderson.

Warren is survived by his wife of 58 years, Theresa ('Terry'); his brother Donald Taylor Anderson; his son Alan; his son Ryan and wife Jenny; and daughter Nancy Anderson LaBarbiera and partner Bryan. He was a very proud grandfather to his three grandchildren Lauren, Jake and Tess.

Growing up, he met many famous celebrities who visited and had jamming sessions in his father's music store, including Marty Robbins, Lefty Frizzell, Slim Whitman, Leon Payne, Waylon Jennings (who borrowed money from Warren"s dad to buy his first guitar), and many more. Laurence Welk's tour bus broke down in Big Spring near the music store and Warrens's dad lent him the money to get it repaired. His father also promoted a young unknown singer, Elvis Presley, at the Big Spring Auditorium and paid him $200. It was Warren's regret for the rest of his life that he did not bother to meet him or attend the performance as he decided to join his friend for a blind date instead.

Warren's first career was in broadcasting and began at his father's Big Spring radio station when he was only 14. He progressed over the next 17 years to drive-time radio announcer at major markets. in Atlanta, Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio, and was called the sunniest, most pleasing voice in the business. During this time Warren MC'd many concerts for celebrities including The Beach Boys and Sonny and Cher. He was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame under his stage name Andy Anderson.

Having reached the peak of his broadcasting career, he decided it was time to pursue his passion for aviation which lasted for the next 20 years. His first pilot position was with Libyan Aviation Corporation in Tripoli and Benghazi, Libya where he met his British wife, Terry. He flew DC-3's taking oil workers and supplies to remote oil fields in the desert. Upon return to the US he worked as Chief Pilot and Demonstration Pilot for a Beechcraft distributorship in San Antonio and Victoria, Texas and was proud of the fact that he had the opportunity to meet Olive Ann Beech. After selling a plane to a distinguished and wealthy Victoria businessman, Warren was hired by him to fly a KingAir and later a Sabreliner for him and his family. He also worked for the FAA as an Airspace System Inspection Pilot. Later in life Warren was very excited to make a flight in his favorite airplane, a P51 Mustang.

Warren was very patriotic and proud to be a Texan. He loved his family, his pets, animals, music, sports cars, and the Dallas Cowboys. Nobody was a stranger to him, and he enjoyed telling his many stories to anyone who would listen. He was an Eagle Scout, a member of the Commemorative AirForce-and the Quiet Birds - an organization for retired pilots.

A Celebration of Warren's Life is being planned at a later date and will be announced.