Joseph Frederick Waring II was born in Savannah on September 12, 1902. He was a teacher by profession but also served in the American Field Service and British 8th army during World War II. After his retirement as a teacher in Ohio, Waring moved back to Savannah, where he became involved in numerous Savannah associations, including serving as president of the Georgia Historical Society from 1968-1970. Waring died on April 8, 1972, and is buried in Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah.