WILLIAM ALLEN LANNING

William "Bill" Allen Lanning, 61, passed away October 4, 2021 after a short illness. A visitation (2-4 PM), followed by a celebration of life will be held on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at Rock Brook Church, 1715 E. 173rd Street, Belton, Missouri.

Bill was born on February 4th, 1960 in Paola, Kansas. He earned a Bachelor's Degree from UMKC and a Master's Degree from KU in Social Work. Bill Worked for the KCPD for five years and thirty-three years for the Veteran's Administration before retiring in 2019. In his retirement Bill enjoyed driving for Max Motors and serving on the board at Joshua House.

Bill loved life... he loved sports.. and he didn't really know a stranger. He gave of himself endlessly and tirelessly. Bill had seven different National Disaster Deployments with Red Cross, four of which were Hurricane Katrina, 9/11 at Ground Zero, Hurricane Dennis and Hurricane Floyd. He was a certified High School football referee and baseball umpire. He enjoyed the Jayhawks, Royals, and Chiefs and most recently the Georgia Bulldogs.

Bill loved music.. He was a member of the "Soldiers of the Cross" Gospel Quartet. His beautiful Tenor voice also graced weddings, church services, choirs and everyday life.

Bill was a believer in the Word, always faithful to it and lived it to its fullest.

Bill loved family.. he was encouraging and supportive. He opened his heart and gave selflessly of his time to them. In turn, he was deeply loved and respected and will be greatly missed. Bill was proceeded in death by his parents, Don and Lorraine Lanning, as well as his first wife, Nena. Bill and Nena leave a son, Jeremy Lanning (Katie). In 2014 Bill married Cecilia, and gained two sons Brett Dreas (Tricia) and Spencer Dreas. Bill was "Poppy" to six grandchildren—Crew, Braelynn, Avelee, Nena, Blaike and Banks. He also survived by his parents-in-law, Thomas and Ernestine Iseman, brothers and sisters Donald Lee Lanning (Janis), Paul Bruce Lanning (Linda), Becky Beyer (Bob), Sharon Davis (Mike), Karen McDonald (Benni), Kevin Iseman (Tricia) and many nieces and nephews that he dearly loved.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Rock Brook Church as addressed above.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278