Dr. William W. Waring

William Winburn Waring, M.D., a world-renowned pediatric pulmonologist, died peacefully at his home in New Orleans on February 27, 2023. He was 99. Dr. Waring was born in Savannah, Georgia on July 20, 1923. He was the youngest child of Antonio Johnston Waring, M.D. and Susie Cole Winburn, both of Savannah. In 1952 Dr. Waring was married at the Holy Name of Jesus Church in New Orleans to Nell-Pape Williams Waring, M.D. of New Orleans. She was the only child of Benjamin Joseph Williams and Edna Ayraud, both of New Orleans. Dr. Waring’s beloved wife died in 2012. The doctors Waring had a long, loving, and respectful marriage. Dr. Waring is survived by his five sons: William Winburn Waring, Jr. (Lexie), Benjamin Joseph Williams Waring (Kathleen), Antonio Johnston Waring II, M.D., Peter Ayraud Waring (Janel) and Patrick Houstoun Waring, M.D. (Calais). Dr. Waring is also survived by eight grandchildren: William Winburn Waring, III (Jeannette), Anne Williams Waring, Nina Pape Waring (Dun), Eleanor Grace Waring, Antonio Johnston Waring III (Annie), Betsy Dale Waring (Alec), Houstoun Gerard Waring, and Hayley Cecilia Waring. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren. Dr. Waring attended the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut, followed by two years at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, during 1942 and 1943. As these were the World War II years, and based on his academic performance, Dr. Waring did not receive an undergraduate degree from Yale, but, rather, was fast-tracked into Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, from which he graduated in the class of 1947. Dr. Waring completed his post-graduate residency training in 1947 and 1948 at the Harriet Lane Home, based at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore, Maryland. During this period, he also served as Chief Resident at the Harriet Lane Home. After completing his military service as a Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, based on Hokkaido, Japan, Dr. Waring returned to the United States and established a private pediatrics practice in Jacksonville where he practiced pediatrics from 1955 to 1957. Because Dr. Waring was deeply interested in academic practice, clinical research, and the provision of hands-on clinical care, in 1957 the couple relocated to Nell-Pape’s childhood home in New Orleans where Dr. Waring became a member of the Tulane Medical School Department of Pediatrics. There, he developed a keen interest in Cystic Fibrosis and, over the years, became an internationally recognized expert in the field. He taught residents and fellows, performed extensive research, and actively engaged in the clinical treatment of patients afflicted by the disease who came from far and wide to be seen by Dr. Waring. He spent his entire career at Tulane where he served in numerous roles. These included the following: Instructor, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, 1957-1958; Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, 1958-1961; Associate Professor, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, 1961-1966; Professor Emeritus, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans; Jane B. Aron Professor in Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, 1987-1996; Director, Pediatric Pulmonary Center, New Orleans, 1969-1988; Director, Cystic Fibrosis Center, Tulane University Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University, New Orleans, 1963-1988; and Chairman, Professional Training Committee, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 1978-1986. From time-to-time Dr. Waring also served as the active Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at the Tulane University School of Medicine. He received numerous academic awards. Dr. Waring also authored a great number of books and academic articles, too numerous to list. By way of example, however, he authored the Practical Manual of Pediatrics; A Pocket Reference For Those Who Treat Children. This book is still revered and remains in use by thousands of pediatricians across the world. Dr. Waring also lectured internationally. Following his formal retirement, and always determined to obtain his undergraduate degree, Dr. Waring procured his undergraduate degree in the History of Architecture from Tulane University. His many hobbies included photography, automobiles, radio, and fly-fishing. Always known throughout the City of New Orleans by his beloved yellow 1955 Mercedes Benz 300S Cabriolet, Dr. Waring never met a stranger. He was kind and generous to all and solved disputes by sensible intellectual logic which always worked. He had the knack of developing and maintaining long-term personal relationships and, as a result, had many friends. He was a wonderful father-always loving, fair, but always firm. He will always be lovingly remembered by his sons and by his many friends. Above all, though, he will be forever remembered and respected by the many physicians he taught and trained over the long course of his career. May he rest in eternal peace. Visitation at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home will commence at 9:00am on Saturday, March 4, 2023 followed by a Funeral Mass at 12:00pm. Interment to follow in Metairie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.