He served in the US Navy during World War II, after which he then attended Northwestern University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1950.
[1] Warner was ordained deacon on March 28, 1953, in All Saints' Church, Appleton, Wisconsin, by Bishop William H. Brady, Coadjutor of Fond du Lac.
On August 27, 1976, Warner was elected on the third ballot as Bishop of Nebraska at a special council held in St Mark's Pro-Cathedral.
[4] He was consecrated on November 30, 1976, in St Cecilia's Cathedral, by Presiding Bishop John Allin.
[5] During his episcopacy, he promoted ecumenism, and was instrumental in organising a shared Holy Communion on March 13, 1983, between Lutherans and Episcopalians at Trinity Cathedral.