Vernon "Butch" F. Ware

WARE, Vernon “Butch” F., age 74, of Centerville, passed away Thursday, September 26, 2024, at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton. Vernon was born on October 6, 1949, in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He completed two tours in Vietnam while honorably serving in the United States Marines. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Clearcreek Baptist Bible College in Pineville, Kentucky. He served as a pastor for 15 years, most notably at Airway Baptist Church in Dayton and Friendship Baptist Church in Harveysburg. He also served as a correction officer for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, officially retiring in 2011. In recent days, he was a member of Urbancrest Baptist Church. Positive, encouraging, caring, loving, funny, always happy and smiling, Vernon was family-oriented, upbeat, and unselfish. He was hardworking, had the ability to bring comfort to others, had a never met a stranger personality, and devoted his life to sharing the word of God and the promise of salvation. As a lifelong evangelist, Vernon led many people to the Lord. He loved talking about Jesus, especially with those he cared for while serving as a correction officer. In addition, he had success with a gentleman who showed up at his door one fateful day trying to sell him bug extermination services. He was a big fan of the Cincinnati Bengals, the Big Red Machine, and the Buckeyes. During his school days, he played the trombone. He loved all kinds of music and greatly enjoyed watching music competition shows on TV. He was also known to be a good dancer, but mainly from the confines of his living room. Vernon enjoyed several fond traditions including visiting the Dairy Shed for ice cream, the fish sandwich from McDonald’s, and dining at The Famous Restaurant and Double Days. Vernon and Shannon also loved visiting Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, where they owned a timeshare. Of course, eating at the Old Mill Restaurant was always on the agenda during the Smoky Mountain trips. Vernon loved going on vacation, especially cruise vacations. While the Alaskan cruise was one of his favorites, visiting Magens Bay Beach in St. Thomas was his favorite destination on the ocean liners. Among many things, he will be remembered for his preference for collecting memories versus material things and for how much he adored his dogs. He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd Emerson and Hedwig Margarethe Ware; one brother, Johnny Ware; and two grandchildren, Brayden and Victoria Ware. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Shannon; two daughters, Sherri (Steve) Persen and Jacqueline (Geoff) Clark; six grandchildren, Caitlin (Dillon) Pierson, Michael Persen, Chelsea (Patrick) Davey, and Taylor, Stephen, and Adam Clark; seven great-grandchildren, Peyton, Kendall, Silas, Liam, Cambria, Rowan, and Jocelyn; five sisters, Peggy (Wayne) Flowers, Susie Campbell, Linda Justice, Bonnie Ware, and Ashley Little; one brother, Mike (Pam) Ware; his father-in-law, Bill (Shirley) Limberg; brother-in-law, Chris (Heather) Vince; several nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family; and his fur baby, Mia A celebration of life service will be held at 3 PM on Sunday, October 6, at Conner & Koch Funeral Home in Bellbrook. The family will receive friends from 1 - 3 PM on Sunday at the funeral home. If desired, contributions may be made in Butch’s memory to the Johnny Tallent Evangelical Association (JTEA), 2737 Robin Cir., Morristown, TN 37813-1740. Condolences at www.connerandkoch.com.

Vernon "Butch" F. Ware

October 6, 1949 - September 26, 2024