Warren Shiver was born in Shelby, North Carolina, on October 19,1935 just after the Great Depression. He grew up in cotton mill villages in Gaffney, South Carolina and Kings Mountain, North Carolina. He traveled all over the Southeast as a foundry salesman for 43 years. He is now retired and devotes his time researching stories behind the hymns, fishing and traveling.
He currently lives in Biscoe, North Carolina with his wife of 53 years, Rebecca. He has four grown children and four grandchildren.