William “Bo” Warren
William “Bo” and Jackie Warren in cotton field
Casa Grande - Pinal County
Inducted in 2018
William “Bo” Warren was a second generation farmer, although his ambitions were not in agriculture. His parents, William and Kelly Warren had moved to Eloy, Arizona from Lewisville, Arkansas and started a farm in 1947. Bo was two years old at the time. As he grew, his focus was on sports. He knew very little about farming, except what he picked up helping his father with the weeding during the summer months.
Bo was the oldest son. He graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1961 and went on to play basketball at Grand Canyon College (now University), graduating in 1966. He had just graduated with a degree in physical education, and had a job as a PE coach at the junior high school in Casa Grande. His father’s passing in 1970 made it necessary for him to quit his job and move his wife Shirley, and young family to the farm to take over the operation for his mother.
In 1979, Bo married for the second time. He and Jackie bought the family farm from his mother and siblings in 1981 and renamed it B and J Farms, after their first initials. For many years he leased land south of Arizona City known as the Watson farm, which he later purchased.
When they purchased the farm, Bo had a lot of learning to do, but he didn’t do it single handed. The farm workers stuck with him and he was able to learn from other farmers. His agricultural education came from the ground up, and he became a good and dedicated farmer. Over the years he grew wheat, sorghum and barley but cotton soon became his primary crop. He became very successful in the field of agriculture and was a well known figure in the community.
Among the things, he is remembered for is his dedication to keeping his farm and surrounding area immaculate. In his letter supporting Bo Warren’s nomination, Tom Snider said, “For many years now, Bo could be seen driving along Sunland Gin Road in his truck picking up trash or on his tractor grading the ditch.”
Throughout the years, he maintained his interest in sports and held season tickets to several of the local team’s games.
Bo passed away in 2016.
Affiliations
Santa Cruz High School – Basketball Coach 1978-2001
Natural Resources Conservation District – Member
CAIDD – Board Member 1993-1995
Eloy Natural Resources Conservation District - 40 years
Electric District- Board Member 28 years
