Wendell, I received your reply at rootsweb.
The problem I am having is confirming William's middle initial "R" as Rice. His sons middle initial, "R", per his death certificate, was Rice. Walter Rice Ware. It would seem William had been married twice. The first may have been to Mary Nichols b. 1840 d. 1864 m. about 1855 and list four children, William R., Louisa Marie, John, and Edward. And the second marriage to Anna Apgar. I have a copy of that marriage certificate from Illinois m. 26 Sep. 1869 and had four children with her.

In all my research, I have only come up with the initial "R". I have not found out for sure what the "R" stood for. I also do not know who Williams' father was. One census (1880) shows his father was born in Ohio and later census from KY. His age also changes in these census, 1870 census, age 38.1880 as 45 years (about 1835), 1900 census as b. 1831 age 68, b.1831 and the 1910 census as age 77 b. 1832. Confusing isn't it.
All of these must be the same person, he has the same wife and known children's names.
It is still unknown where William or Anna died. The 1910 census had them living in Omaha NE.
I can confirm linage from myself to William R. Ware but no further. I have names and most dates of his children, grand children etc. to my grand children if you are interested.
Any additional info would be helpful.

Tom Ware, CA