I well remember Bill Werner for the four courses of his I took at Blackburn University; General Zoology,, Field Biology, which used his textbook , Benton and Werner "Field Biology and Ecology", Ecology, which involved a lengthy lab report as long as some advanced degree theses, and Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy. I managed to get A's in all these courses.

I especially enjoyed the slides he showed in class. he was also advisor of the Photography club at Blackburn college. We took a couple more extended field trips in that class, as to the Illinois State museum in Springfield and to Hill Prairies near Eldred, IL.

He meant a lot o so many students at Blackburn. We will miss him so, and many enjoyed his books and his newspaper columns on the nature in and around Carlinville.

When the Geokogical Survey held a field trip in Carlinville, he cancelled the scheduled ecology class field trip that day so students could attend the Geology field trip. Unfortunately, Blackburn does not have a geology major nor even the introductory courses. in hte field,

For many years I exchanged Christmas cards and letters with him.

He will be very much missed around Carlinville and for his over 35 years of service to Blackburn University..

I am very sorry for your loss, I am praying for your families peace and strength during this difficult time. I just wanted to share Psalm 34:18- he is close to those broken-hearted.- Again condolences.

Dr. Werner was the original hipster. He rode a one-speed bike before the Alternative People in Williamsburg-Brooklyn and every other soulless suckhole were weaned. He attacked the speed bumps on the Blackburn College campus on said bike like a Visigoth. He served his country, fighting at the Battle of the Bulge in the Infantry as a Private. He didn't brag about it. He came back home and taught science for 45 years, including to bonehead theatre majors like me, and made it interesting, even erotic. He loved birds and animals and did not suffer those who would imperil their ecology. He helped me whip up a speech that I delivered to the Blackburn faculty and students at the 1984 Honors Dinner. He said that I was going to piss off a lot of people but that he was on board. You couldn't ask for a better man in your corner. Dr. Werner will be missed.

I am so sorry for the loss of this great man. I remember my Field Biology class outing where he tried to get me to get close to a snake. He laughed when I ran away. He was an amazing teacher and will be greatly missed. I'm so glad I got to know him.

I was one of his education students in the 1970s. Still to this day as I walk in the woods or open pastures I see things that he would point out. I often share this knowledge with my students and my granddaughter. He may be gone from you now but his legacy lives on and will for a long time. I feel blessed to have had him as a teacher.

Dear Mary and family, I am so sorry to hear about your father passing. He was such a wonderful man and I have many wonderful memories of him. He will be missed by so many! You will all be in my thoughts & prayers. Love, Mindy

My thoughts and prayers go out to Dr. Werner's family. I have so many wonderful memories from his Field Biology class at Blackburn. I have shared a love for nature all of my life and learned so much from his class. I loved how he shared slides of their travels and have tried to do the same thing when teaching. I can still picture him with Grace walking around Carlinville, enjoying their retirement. He will be missed, but always remembered.

My condolences to Dr. Werner's family and friends. I was a student at Blackburn College 1977-1979. Dr. Werner was a very kind man who was so devoted to education! I'm sure that there are many, many people that have been saddened by the news of his passing.

Doc Werner was a great person to work under while I was a student at Blackburn College. I was an assistant in his office and a lab assistent. He was a patient and kind as well as an understand man. I was his assistant for a couple of years and really enjoyed my time with him. I got tickled at seeing him on a bike riding home from the college or bird watching with his wife Grace. I will miss him and his gentle smile.

So sorry to learn of Dr. Werner's passing. My condolences to the family. Just a couple of weeks ago in a Facebook post I included a picture of spring beauties, stating that I first learned to identify that wildflower years ago in Dr. Werner's field biology class. Dr. Werner was one of the finest professors I've ever known, as well as a compassionate man, learned scholar and author. He leaves quite a legacy. Terry Warren - BU '75

I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Werner's passing. He and Mrs. Werner were such wonderful neighbors, as I was growing up on Crestwood Drive. I remember how they walked almost everywhere together. They would always stop and chat a bit as they passed by. My condolences to the entire family.

I was a student of Dr. Werner at Blackburn in the late 1970s. He was an inspiration to the point that I used him as my model when I became a college instructor. His combination of humor and rigor was just right to help me love science and pass that love to others.

My heart felt condolences to Mary, Jim and the rest of the family.

Hugs and Love to All,

Stephanie

We are so thankful that we had the pleasure of knowing Bill and Grace. What a lovely, inspirational couple. Bill was so kind and patient. We truly loved Bill and Grace. I just can't say Bill without mentioning Grace. They were one, and now they are together again.

So sorry to hear about your loss. He was a wonderful person and I see so many of his wonderful traits passed on to all of you.

You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Jan Geninatti

Bill was a professor, colleague and friend for almost 50 years. Well known, respected and loved by the Blackburn and Carlinville communuity. Please accept our condolences to Mary and other family members.

Chuck and Ruth Sutphen

Dr. Werner was a truly inspiring instructor and individual. Through 7 years of post high school education, he would easily rate as the best teacher I had the pleasure to experience. His guidance prompted me to go beyond a 4 year biology degree. His enthusiasm for the biological sciences was obviously highly contagious! Class and lab time with him were the best times of my college years.

Dr. Werner was a treasure to Blackburn College, the Carlinville community and to all students who had the privilege and pleasure of having him as an instructor. He will always be remembered fondly by all who the pleasure of knowing him.

We always enjoyed our visits with Bill and Grace in their home and in the neighborhood when they were out walking. Bill's presentations of his travel slides and his stories were always great. We wish peace to the family.

Our condolences to Dr. Werner's family. What a nice man! How lucky Carlinville was to have him in our community. Keeping you all in our prayers.

I was lucky enough to be one of his students. He always took time to answer questions. And who could forget the S car go joke? A great man and a life well lived.

I was lucky enough to have Dr. Werner as my biology processed as a bio major at Blackburn. His passion for teaching and quality work is something I carry to this day. Condolences to his family, I want them to know Blackburn was a much better place because of him and his wife.

I was fortunate to live next door to these wonderful people for 18 years. You can't find better neighbors anywhere. Bill also was a guest speaker in my classroom for several years. I fondly remember our neighborhood picnics in our backyard!

My deepest condolences to the family. Dr. Werner was a wonderful and patient teacher. His influence inspires me still. May he rest well.

My condolences to Dr. Werner's family. He was an excellent teacher and a kind soul.

My condolences to the family. A little story about a man that was great to me..... 1955/56 I was just one of many little kids from Standard Addition. I spent lots of time wondering around the campus of Blackburn. Dr Werner let me sit in on biology lab and gave me my very own pickled baby shark to dissect. He had a couple of the students work with me and I was fascinated by the process and we cut that fish up... three or four different days I went there to work on that fish. Another time he gave me three pairs of mice to study genetics, black pair, white pair, and a spotted pair. It was quite a deal to keep a bunch of aquariums hid in my Standard Addition closet and there probably still are ancestors of a few that got away in the house at 1039 N Charles. His kindness and patience kindled a love of nature and science I have never gotten over. Mom didn't see it that way, and the genetics project ended with about thirty mice that I hadn't managed to distribute to my friends yet.....

Dr. Werner was a gentleman in every respect. I took his Animal Behavior class in 1976 for my science requirement at Blackburn. He made the class so interesting - I learned a lot from him. His influence will remain at Blackburn for many many years.

I am the physician I am today partly because of his teaching. He was one of the best teachers I ever had. Loved loved loved his ecology class!

In 1989, I had the honor of taking over Dr Werner's biology position, although I never pretended to.replace him. Dr Werner's expertise in our local biology was a treasured resource and inspiration for us all. I remember reading his weekly newspaper column with the greatest inspiration and admiration. His visits to the biology department were always an occasion to learn and remember. It was the greatest pleasure to know him and Grace, who were part of a welcoming visit from our first days in Carlinville.

So sorry to hear this. Heart felt condolences!

Dr Warner,

Although i was never your student, as an alumnus of Blackburn College, your legacy was felt throughout the whole campus. For that, the school and the town will miss your presence. As a childhood friend of your granddaughter Genevieve I thank you for the family that you left behind.

Rest in Peace,

Burns Moseley

I am saddened to hear of Dr. Werner's passing. It is a great loss. Dr. Werner was my Biology professor in 1975-1979. He instilled in me a passion for nature and science. He was inspiring and passionate about his career. From him I learned the songs of hundreds of birds and the names of countless wild flowers. I am grateful I had the privilege to be his student.

So sorry for your loss. God be with ALL your family at this time. Gracie is probably bubbling over to be with Bill again. What a loving couple!

Dr. Werner was such an inspiration learning about ecology and life in general. He was truly a wonderful man and awesome teacher.

Thinking of you all.