William H. “Bill” Lanier

William H. “Bill” Lanier, 66, of Bainbridge, passed away Thursday, September 4, 2025.

The funeral service will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Bethany Baptist Church with Rev. Warren Fox officiating. A graveside service will be held at 4:00 p.m. at Rosemary Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery (Metter) with Elder Craig Lanier officiating. John Parker, Justin Lanier, Parker Lanier, Will Parker, Gary Nichols, Paxton Parker, Fisher Parker, Hunter Lanier, Wade Kirkland, and Bo Griffin will serve as active pallbearers.

The family will receive friends immediately following each service. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantfuneralga.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bethany Baptist Church Building Fund, 216 Bethany Church Road, Brinson, GA 39825.

William Hardwick Lanier was born October 15, 1958, in Metter, GA, the son of Homer Lewis & Billie Edenfield Lanier. He was reared in the Union Community of Candler County and the Rosemary Primitive Baptist Church. Bill was a graduate of Candler County-Metter High School and pursued an associate in agribusiness from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. He was the comptroller for Meherrin Ag (Barber Fertilizer). Bill was a devoted member and deacon at Bethany Baptist Church.

Known affectionately as “Big Papa” by his grandchildren, Bill was a man who lived with a big heart and simple joys. He loved nothing more than casting a line with his best girl and always relished in the fact that D’Nena usually had the bigger fish. He enjoyed gathering around the table with family and friends sharing a good meal; this was the best day ever for Bill. (And Bill knew where ALLLL the good places to get fried catfish, fried shrimp, and good ol’ southern cooking were in town.) Legend has it that “Mama B” and “Papa John” are largely responsible for taking Bill from a lean 28 to husky in record time. The secret was introducing him to the likes of fried chicken, fish, cornbread, and all the goodness Mama B could muster. Papa John strutted the streets as Bill grew (literally) in his role as favorite son-in-law.

The radio in the truck was always tuned to the Elvis channel, Bill’s favorite. A man of faith, the calm in the storm, Bill regularly read from the 1611 King James Version of the Bible, drawing wisdom, strength, and comfort from its words. He prayed beautiful, heartfelt prayers and was known to preface some conversations with, “Now Sweetheart…” Bill leaves a legacy of unconditional love and absolute devotion to his family.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, D’Nena Parker Lanier; his children, Justin & Jennifer Lanier, Parker & Melanie Lanier, John & Mandy Parker, and Will & Catie Parker; his grandchildren, Hunter, Presley, Meredith, Fisher, Paxton, Ellie, and EmmaKate; his sister, Becki Lanier; and his mother & father-in-law, Johnson & Betty Parker. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Robbie Parker.