Willie Lanning

William "Willie" Franklin Lanning, 86, of Hoover Drive, died Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, at Hinkle Hospice House. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Reeds Baptist Church, where he was a member, by the Rev. Dave Williams. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Davidson Funeral Home and other times at the home. Mr. Lanning was born Aug. 10, 1924, in Davidson County to William Ollie Lanning and Sallie Etta Beck Lanning. He was a self-employed TV repairman with Lanning Radio and TV. Mr. Lanning served in the U.S. Army during World War II. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, William "Frank" Lanning Jr.; brothers Hollis Lanning, Herman Lanning and Lloyd Lanning; and sisters Mary Parks and Pauline Swicegood. Surviving are his wife of 68 years, Lilly Lucille Swicegood Lanning; daughter Laurinda Brinson and husband the Rev. Carlton Brinson of Thomasville; five grandchildren, Allan Shoaf, Lisa Thompson and husband Rick, Maria Lanning, Luke Lanning and Jamie Lanning; and three great-grandchildren, Brett, Alex and Nicholas. Memorials may be made to New Beginnings Church, 167 Lee Circle, Thomasville, NC 27360