William Dixon LaNier

William "Bill" Dixon LaNier, aged 90, passed away on January 18, 2026. He was born on February 15, 1935, and was the son of the late William Roscoe LaNier and Beatrice (Dixon) LaNier of Bahama in northern Durham County, NC. William served in the Army for a short time after graduating from Wake Forest High School. He loved to show his patriotic pride by flying the good ole Red, White & Blue, Stars and Stripes. It was his wish to be buried with the American flag.

After the military, Bill found a lifelong career in the insurance profession. He started with the NC Fire Insurance and Rating Bureau, (NCRB), a non-profit, unincorporated entity representing insurance companies to set rates for property, liability, and workers' compensation insurance in the state of NC.

Bill was a member of the Honorable Order of the Blue Goose, International, a prominent fraternal organization for professionals in the insurance and related industries with local chapters across the United States and Canada. Bill got to do a lot of traveling while doing fundraisers and charity work for the (HOBGI) organization. The organization and its members are known for their Character, Charity, and Fellowship, and if anyone knows Bill LaNier, they know that he shone in of those pillars.

When his family was asked about his likes and hobbies, they responded almost in sync, "drinking coffee and smoking tobacco". They also recalled how much he loved Christmas and all that it stood for. Family gatherings, good food, and seeing the smiles on his children’s and grandchildren's faces throughout the years brought him joy. Bill also had several beloved furry companions through the years - Butch, Missy, Henry, & Max.

Another fact about Bill is that he NEVER owned a pair of tennis shoes - just not his style. He preferred the comfort of air conditioning to the outdoor heat. He also loved to watch "Who-Done-It" style murder mysteries. Bill always had a joke to tell, was not shy, and never met a stranger in his life.

Bill was a member of Edenton Street United Methodist Church of Raleigh and started singing in the choir in the 1970's. His favorite church service was the Christmas Eve Candlelight Ceremony. He and the other choir members raised their voices with a joyful noise, then looked out over the congregation as the light of the candles passed from one person to the next as they sang traditional Christmas hymns, including Silent Night, Holy Night, all is calm and all is bright... now sleep in Heavenly Peace.

Bill will be greatly missed by his dear friends and loving family. He is survived by son, Scott LaNier of Boone, NC; daughter, Paige Wallace, of Holly Springs, NC; daughter-in-law, Gretchen LaNier of Burlington, NC; grandchildren, Elizabeth Scott LaNier, Vaughn Chamberlin LaNier (Katie), and Michael Brooks Wallace; sisters, Becky Walker and Judy Locklear; and niece, Donna Austin. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Don J. LaNier.

The family will receive friends on January 30, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at Brown Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27511. A Celebration of Life will follow from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm. The committal service will be private and for immediate family and will take place at 2:00 pm at Montlawn Memorial Park, 2911 S. Wilmington St in Raleigh, NC.

Memorial tributes and messages of sympathy can be left for the family by clicking the “Add a Memory” box below. Brown Wynne of Cary is honored to serve the LaNier family.