William Kelly Warren was born in Tennessee, where most of his formal education was earned at Assumption School. Whether he was throwing newspapers as a boy or serving as president or director of large corporations as an adult, he never forgot the pressure of poverty and devoted much of his earnings to help the needy and support education.

Although he never earned a diploma, Mr. Warren was awarded many honors, including honorary degrees and awards by the University of Notre Dame, the University of Tulsa, and the University of Oklahoma. The William K. Warren Foundation founded and supported hospitals, churches, schools, and medical research programs, including St. Francis Hospital, Tulsa’s Warren Medical Research Center, and St. John Vianney School.