CLEVELAND (AP) — William M. Ware, retired executive editor of The Plain Dealer who had a 38-year career at the paper before retiring in 1971, died Monday. He was 86. During the last eight years of his career, Ware was especially dedicated to preserving the freedom of the press. He served as chairman of The Associated Press Managing Editors Association’s Freedom of Information Committee. Ware began working as a sports editor and City Hall reporter for the Painesville Telegraph after graduating from the Ohio State University School of Journalism in 1933. Eight months later, he became a reporter on The Plain Dealer city staff. He became Sunday and feature editor in 1962 and was night managing editor from 1964 until being named executive editor in 1966. Ware was president of the Cleveland Newspaper Guild in 1947 and was named a member of the international executive board of the American Newspaper Guild in 1951. He also was a past president of the Ohio Associated Press Society and past vice president of the American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors. In the late 1960s, Ware served on the Pulitzer Prize jury, screening nominations for top honors in journalism. Survivors include his wife, a daughter and three grandchildren.

Source:  Associated Press Archive – Wednesday, February 18, 1998