William Conrad "Bill" Fannin, age 80, of Pennington Flat Road, Morehead, local business owner and U.S. Navy veteran, passed away Monday, January 2, 2023, at the Life Care Center in Morehead.

He was born May 14, 1942, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was a son of the late William Claude Fannin, Jr. and Ruby Lee Kegley Fannin.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Joseph Talmadge "J. T." Fannin, and one sister, Connie Crisp.

Bill is survived by his wife of 52 years, Kay Utterback Fannin, whom he married November 14, 1970; one daughter, Tori Earlywine and husband Adam of Morehead; one son, Andy Fannin and wife Ramona of Wallingford; and five grandchildren, Kaden Earlywine, Reece Earlywine, Kinsley Earlywine, David Fannin, and Samuel Fannin.

Other survivors include one brother, Michael Fannin and wife Kay of Morehead; one sister, Joan Sergent and husband Charlie of Mt. Sterling; several nieces and nephews, as well as extended family and many friends.

A native of Rowan County, Bill was raised in the area of his lumber company, Fannin Industries, on Flemingsburg Road. He attended a one-room school, graduated from Morehead High School, and attended Morehead State University.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Bill was assigned to the USS Independence and served active duty from 1960 – 1964. After the military, he traveled between Indianapolis where he worked for an aircraft company and Atlanta selling cars.  He returned to Rowan County and worked at Holiday Inn as a night auditor, Bumgardner Ford Tractor as a salesman, and a self-employed heavy equipment operator.  In 1977 Bill purchased B & W Pallet which became Fannin Industries. He operated his business until March 2020 and during those 40 years employed thousands of workers.

During his younger years, Bill was an avid pilot and owned a four-seater plane. He loved taking family and friends for rides. Bill enjoyed fishing, watching NASCAR, and loving his grandchildren unconditionally. He will be greatly missed and remembered with love.

Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, January 7, 2023, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Memorial Chapel with Pastor Herbie Stallard officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens with full military honors presented by Morehead American Legion Post 126.

Pallbearers:  Kaden Earlywine, Reece Earlywine, Adam Earlywine, Tommy Lytle, David Whisman, and Paul Gilliam.  Honorary pallbearers:  Kinsley Earlywine, David Fannin, and Samuel Fannin.

Visitation will be 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, January 6, 2023, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals, 400 Fraley Drive, Morehead, KY 40351.

View memorial tribute or sign guestbook at www.northcuttandson.com