Obituaries

Warren Hamilton Widener, age 75, passed away on June 25, 2013, in Hayward, CA, after a long struggle with pneumonia. He was born in Oroville, CA, in the Sacramento Valley, settled in Berkeley, Oakland, and Piedmont, and moved to Roseville, CA, after his retirement. He served his community in roles as Mayor of Berkeley and member of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, served his country as a Captain in the U. S. Air Force, and served his church as a young man leading the Methodist Youth Fellowship with his wife at Downs Memorial United Methodist Church. 

Warren received his Juris Doctorate from Boalt Hall School of Law. He worked as a lawyer and as President of the Urban Housing Institute. His tireless and successful efforts to improve his community, especially to improve the lives of the homeless following the Loma Prieta earthquake, will be long remembered. 

He is survived by his three sons, Warren Jr., Michael and Stephen; his cousin Zaretta; a granddaughter and great grandson; and his former wife Mary. He also leaves to cherish his memory his brothers Arnold and Michael, his sister Lorraine, and many other treasured relatives and friends. 

A private military honors service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 3, 2013, at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620. 

The public is invited to a Celebration of Life at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, 2013, at Downs Memorial United Methodist Church, 6026 Idaho Street, Oakland, CA, 94608. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent in Warren’s memory to Downs Memorial UMC designated for the Fishes and Loaves feeding program.