Walter Lee Fanning

Mr. Walter Lee Fanning, 92, of Davidson, NC died Saturday March 5, 2011 in the Schramm Health Center at the The Pines at Davidson. Born July 2, 1918 in Shelby NC he was a son of the late Walter L. and Josie Carroll Fanning. He completed his high school education in Shelby and graduated from NC State College in 1939 with a B.S. in textile manufacturing. He was a member of the Blue Key and the Golden Chzin honorary societies, Vice President of the Student Body, Lt. Col. in the ROTC unit and was awarded a monogram in his senior year on the tennis team. A US Army veteran, he was called into service February 1941. He was stationed at the Philadelphia ASF Depot until 1944, at which time he was assigned to the Office of the Quarter Master General in Washington DC. He was discharged from service in 1946 with the rank of Major (ASF). After his discharge he returned to the Dover Mill Group as an assistant manager until 1954. At that time he began his employment with Fox-Wells & Co as a liaison officer, became Vice President and retired as President in 1980. He also served on the Board of Directors for Dover, Ora and Ester Mills. He was a member of Central Methodist Church in Shelby until he married a Baptist ministers daughter, Ada Ramsey Wall in February 28, 1942. He and his loving wife Ada are members of Davidson College Presbyterian Church. Mr. Fanning enjoyed golf and tennis. Most important to him was his family, faith and church. Memorial services will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Saturday March 12 in the Lingle Chapel of Davidson College Presbyterian Church. He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife of 69 years , Ada Wall Fanning; sons, Dr. W. Lee Fanning, Jr. and wife Claudia, Steven Wall Fanning and wife Ongalee; grandchildren, Kevin Fanning, Lindsay Sturtz, Lori Smith, Terry Bergquist, Deborah Santora and Shane Killoran and six great grandchildren. Memorials may be made to The Pines at Davidson Resident Support Fund, 400 Avinger Lane Davidson, NC 28036 or the Disabled American Veterans, Att: Gift Processing, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati Ohio 45250-0301.