Billy Howard Ware passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, January 3, 2014. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, in June of 2013, and fought a courageous battle, remaining optimistic until the end.

During the 1980’s and 1990’s, Ware was a National Cutting Horse Association director for Louisiana and successfully trained many of his own non-pro aged event finalists. It was during this time that he developed a friendship with the late Bill Freeman, who pulled on him by his friend that Ware enjoyed recalling.

One day, while they were working together, Freeman asked Ware to do him a favor and work an older horse he had in training, so that he could watch and critique the horse. Without fanfare, Freeman handed the reins of a sorrel stallion to Ware, who mounted and headed to the herd, unaware of what was about to happen. Only when the horse made his first “trademark” moves on the first cow and Ware heard the cheers and laughter from Bill and his crew did he realize he was riding the great Smart Little Lena.

Ware, a life-long resident of Rayville, Louisiana and award-winning sales manager for White Ford Lincoln in Winnsboro, La., is survived by his wife of 38 years, Sara Walters Ware, daughter Erin Ware, daughter Anna Ware Berg and son-in-law Marcus Berg, mother Billie Himel Ware, brother Jerry Ware, and mother-in-law Joy Maxie Walters.

Services will be held on Monday, January 6, 2014, at the First Baptist Church-Rayville with Dr. Eddie Wren officiating. Burial will be in the Rayville Masonic Cemetery under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Rayville.