Warren was born December 26, 1936 in Bluefield, WVA to Clifford Charles Wilson and Dorothy Johnstone Wilson. His father was a doctor for Beckley Smokeless Coal Co. in Besoco, WVA, which was steady work during the Depression. In 1943, his father joined the Navy and served in San Diego, Okinawa and Hawaii. Except for Japan, the family accompanied him to those posts, returning after the war to Kansas City where Warren grew up.

Warren described his childhood as a sort of Norman Rockwell existence, with new homes, schools and roads, with plenty of open space to build forts and tree houses. He served as an altar boy and acolyte. At age ten he began playing the drums and continued through high school and college.

Warren earned a BA in Political Science at Stanford University in 1958. He was active in Chi Psi Fraternity, the Stanford Marching Band and Orchestra. He earned his LLB from the University of Michigan Law School in 1961, where he was a member of Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity.

ROTC Training in college led to a two-year military commitment. One year of Hawk Missile training in Ft. Bliss, TX, followed by a year, on-site, with the missiles in Weisbaden, Germany, just as the Berlin Wall was being built. He was honorably discharged as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1963.

During 1964-65, Warren was a law clerk for The Hon. Gilbert H. Jertberg, US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. He then joined the San Francisco maritime law firm, Lillick & Charles, where he become partner in 1972. Over the next 30 years his practice covered many areas of litigation: defense of shipowners and their underwriters, cargo, labor and entertainment law.

In 1966, Warren married Nancy Louise Barnes. They spent many years restoring two San Francisco Victorian homes, learning old crafts of stenciling, gold-leafing and French waxing while scouting auctions, restoration shops and yard sales for the perfect finishing touches. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2016. Their daughter, Amy Anne Wilson, lives and works in San Francisco.

Warren was always active in neighborhood associations hoping to preserve the beauty and unique character of San Francisco.
The family attended St. Luke's Church in San Francisco, where Warren was Head Usher, Vestry Member, Senior Warden and Capital Campaign Chair.

The family traveled for work and pleasure through the years. Upon retirement in 1995, Warren and Nancy took a long sabbatical year of travel, then moved to Calistoga, CA to begin a new life. Warren enjoyed new endeavors like acting in a play, taking painting and ceramic classes, playing the drums again in the New Horizons Band, tending a big rose garden and meeting as many people as possible.

Warren loved World War II history, biographies of strong leaders and current nonfiction. He loved movies and music. He was a man of integrity and purpose, a gentle and compassionate person who was able to make and keep friends throughout his life. He was creative and curious, fun and funny, a good conversationalist and an excellent listener.

Warren lived his life with grace, grit and gusto. For the last 20 years he also lived with Parkinson's Disease. He was committed to understanding PD and figuring out coping strategies. He belonged to the Parkinson's Support Group of Sonoma County. He played golf regularly, swam daily in the summer, and in recent years, he enjoyed Dance for Parkinson's classes in Santa Rosa. He received wonderful care at the VA Parkinson's Clinic in San Francisco and was very thankful for all his doctors, nurses, therapists and caregivers, especially, Apisai Yaranamua.

Warren died peacefully at home with his family on April 10, 2018. The cause of death was influenza and pneumonia. He considered himself privileged to share so many wonderful moments with good friends and close family. A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 26, 2018, at Grace Episcopal Church, 1314 Spring Street, St. Helena, CA.

Donations may be made in Warren's name to: Dance for Parkinson's-PSGSC, 1717 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95405; Grace Episcopal Church, 1314 Spring St., St. Helena, CA 94574; Collabria Hospice, 414 So. Jefferson St., Napa, CA 94559.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Apr. 17 to Apr. 22, 2018.