Wild Bill Rides Away!

William Hardy Lanier was born in Covington, Louisiana on September 5,1959 to Mark "Markie" and Geraldine Calmes Lanier. On Thursday, November 21,2024, Bill passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Husser, Louisiana. He was 65 years old.

Bill spent most of his life as a "Bovine Technician" on many dairies, a barbed wire artisan, a published poet in many local newspapers, a stand-up comedian, a boilermaker, a pressman, a citrus grower, a free spirit and a walking talking historian of rock and roll. He enjoyed sunsets at San Xavier Mission in Tucson with his Arizona family every chance he got. He took great pleasure in sharing the fruits of his citrus orchard with all his family, friends and strangers alike. Making people laugh was also a special passion of his life, he was a character and will be missed by all that knew him. Most of all, Bill believed in visiting people while they were living because he knew all too well how short life is. During his prolonged illness, he expressed many times that he "had a date with an angel in Heaven and he did not want to keep her waiting", as a nod to his wife Martha who preceded him in death.

Wiliam Hardy Lanier is survived by four brothers and two sisters: Paul Lanier and wife Marta Raquel of Baton Rouge; Steven Wade Lanier and wife Joel of Vail, Arizona; Ranson Lanier and wife Janelle of Mandeville; Marc Lanier and wife Donna of Amite; Marcheta Lanier of Amite; and Joan Padgett and husband Clint of Mobile, Alabama. Nephews: Mark Lanier, Kacey Lanier, Pablo Lanier, Phillip Lanier, Matthew Lanier, Jacob Lanier, Brice Lanier, Matthew Ard and Casten Padgett. Nieces: Madeline Lanier, Bailey Lanier, Nancy Ard and Sunshine Ard, as well as numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, wife, Martha Lee Rick Anthony Lanier; parents Mark "Markie" and Geraldine Lanier; brother K. P. Lanier; grandparents: Bert and Rosie Lanier, Floyd and Ophelia Calmes; aunts: Kathleen C Husser, Mildred C. Martin, Jo Ann Lanier, Joan L. Addison, Nancy L. Stell; uncles: Wade Lee Lanier, Dave Lanier, James Calmes, and Lewis Voight; cousins: Mark Lee Lanier, Mike Lee Lanier, Cynthia "P-nut" Lanier all of Arizona, David W. Husser, Kevin Husser and Jimmy Calmes. Also, his beloved pets Halloweiner, Stormy, Shaq-Attack, Goldie and Sky.

In lieu of flowers or donations, you may honor Bill's memory by planting a garden, growing flowers, going fishing, creating music, adopting a pet, creating laughter, giving generously and loving lavishly.

"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

A visitation will be held from 1:00PM until memorial services at 3:00PM at McKneely Funeral Home in Amite on Saturday, December 14, 2024. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.