William Kay (Bill) Lanier Jr., 86, passed away peacefully in Palm Bay, Florida - October 9, 2020 due to complications from sepsis.
Bill was born and raised in the town of Warrenton, North Carolina on August 28, 1934. He was the oldest son of William K. Lanier Sr. and Eva Edwards Lanier.
He was a member of the Warrenton Presbyterian Church. He attended John Graham High School, in Warrenton, but completed his Senior year at the Oak Ridge Military Academy, NC where he graduated with the class of 1952.
After his high school graduation, Bill pursued higher education in Hampden Sydney College, VA graduating in 1956 with a BA in English.
Immediately after his college years Bill was drafted and enlisted into the US Army. He was then deployed to Korea where he proudly and honorably served from 1956 to 1958.
Returning home after his military obligation Bill joined his father's business. Therefore in 1958 Bill became his father's business partner and together operated the town hardware store named "Lanier Hardware". Bill, his father and his young brother Sydney Eugene Lanier who later joined the family bussines, operated the hardware store for many years. Being an avid bicyclist and sportsman Bill introduced new concepts, ideas and merchandise to the business. As years went by - Bill became an active bicycling advocate, participating in numerous bicycling and sports events throughout the eastern seaboard representing the State of North Carolina. Bill was an active member of L.A.W. (League of American Wheelmen) and served as the State of NC Director (1976–1977)
In 1980 during the Jimmy Carter Administration Bill was presented with a Bicycling Presidential Sport Award Patch for his achievements and commitment to physical fitness and sports.
After Bill' father passed in 1984 Bill continued operating Lanier Hardware Store until December 17, 1999 when the store was sold and he finally retired.
In his retirement Bill continued enjoying bicycling and the new found freedom that allowed him to travel. His passion was the beach and all means of transportation. He loved old cars, airplanes, boats, ships and trains. Everywhere we traveled we always rented private planes and pilots to fly us over the toured area. Bill was a ray of sunshine and never met a stranger. He could strike up a meaningful conversation with anyone and called it an "Enjoyable North Carolina Chat".
In mid-2015 Bill moved to Florida and enjoyed the sunshine state until his final day.
He is predeceased by his father William K. Lanier Sr., his mother, Eva Edwards Lanier, brother, Sydney Eugene Lanier and our beloved pet; Chico.
Bill loved his family deeply and is survived by his daughter; Leslie Prescott, son; William Andrew Lanier, granddaughters; Amanda Lockhart, Haley Prescott and Amelia Lanier, great-granddaughter; Whitney Lockhart, great-grandson; Tyler Lockhart and his soul best friend; Ariel Rosa
Bill was and will be remembered as a wonderful son, father, brother and friend. A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered.