Guilford Ware Obituary

Guilford Dudley Ware, a nationally recognized attorney and retired senior partner of the Norfolk law firm Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, died on January 27, 2024. Born in Essex County, Virginia on April 15, 1925, he was the fifth child of Catesby and Lila Maddox Ware. He is survived by his children Latané Ware Brown (Arch), Guilford Dudley Ware, Jr. (Elizabeth), David Burwell Ware (Jennie); stepdaughters, Katherine B. Stine (Charlie), Shannon B. Rainey (David), Gay B. Hardy (Bill), sixteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Lila W. Palmer, and his brother, Dr. Henry Ware (Harriet). He was predeceased by his first wife, Nancy Smith Ware; his second wife, Gay Dantzler Ware, his brothers, James C. Ware, C. Arthur Ware, Joseph L. Ware and his sister, Ella W. Beck.

Guil grew up on the Rappahannock River with his two sisters, four brothers and numerous cousins. After attending Hargrave Military Academy, he served in World War II and retired as Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.

Upon completing his Air Force active duty, Guil attended the University of Virginia and earned his B.S. Degree at the McIntire School of Commerce in 1949. He was elected president of the University graduating class of 1952 and graduated from the University Law School that same year. After graduation, he joined the law firm of Baird, White and Lanning in Norfolk. The firm changed its name on several occasions, becoming Crenshaw, Ware & Martin in 1989. He was devoted to his law practice and thought there was nothing more fun than a tough day in the courtroom.

While maintaining an active law practice, Guil also served as the president of Norfolk Dredging Company. Under his leadership, Norfolk Dredging Company became one of the leading dredging companies on the Eastern Seaboard. Guil continued to guide the company well into his nineties.

He was active in many professional organizations including membership in the American and Virginia Bar Associations; the Virginia State Bar; the Norfolk Portsmouth Bar Association of which he was a former president; Southeastern Admiralty Institute of which he was former chairman and seminar chairman; American Judicature Society; Maritime Law Association of the United States, life member; Fellow of the Virginia Law Foundation and American Bar Association Foundation; and he was listed multiple times in Best Lawyers in America.

Among his law partners and clients, Guil was cherished for his integrity, for his humble nature, and most famously for his classic story telling. His sixty-plus years of law practice have touched many, in thousands of positive ways.

Guil was also dedicated to his community. He was the former president of the Virginia Symphony, Norfolk German Club, the Norfolk YMCA and the Harbor Club; he was a member of the Board of the Virginia Symphony Foundation; University of Virginia Law School Foundation; board of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) and its Foundation and served on the vestry of Christ & St. Luke's Episcopal Church. He was the recipient of various awards including the Eggleston/I'Anson Professionalism Award and the Hampton Roads Foundation Baron F. Black Community Builder Award.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 2, 2024 at 11:00AM in Christ & St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 560 W. Olney Road, Norfolk, Virginia. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the YMCA of Norfolk or a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be made at hdoliver.com