William "Will" Joseph Fanning

Madison - William "Will" Joseph Fanning was born on January 8, 1993 in Jackson, Mississippi. He was the only child of Tom and Marjie Fanning. Will died on April 18, 2021 in Hampton, Virginia. Will graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School in 2011. He attended Mississippi State University and was a huge Bulldog fan. He graduated from the University of South Alabama, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. After graduation, Will was employed by Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi, as an Engineer 2 in the Naval Architecture unit. Engineering was in his blood, his great grandfather and both grandfathers were engineers. He loved his work and touched the lives of so many people with whom he worked.

Will enjoyed golf, tennis, racket ball and sailing on the Mississippi sound. He also enjoyed the friendships he made in Madison and Pascagoula, Mississippi. He was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Pascagoula, Mississippi. As a child he served as an acolyte at Chapel of the Cross. While attending St. Joseph, he loved to have theological discussions. He believed in Jesus Christ as our Savior.

Will is survived by his parents, Tom and Marjie Fanning of Pascagoula; his grandfather, Bill and step-grandmother Nita Fanning of Madison; aunts and uncles Ann and John McManus of Madison, Herb and Janet Fanning of Atlanta, Georgia, and Joey and Leyla Goodsell of Florence; and many cousins. Will was preceeded in death by his paternal grandmother, Marjorie Holder Fanning, his maternal grandparents Joseph Edward and Marion Burge Goodsell and his uncle Jessie Burge Goodsell. His life in this life will be dearly missed by his family and many friends whom he loved and loved him.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Chapel of the Cross Building Fund in Madison, Mississippi or St. John's Building & Beautification Fund in Pascagoula, Mississippi or a charity of your choice.

A celebration of Will's life will be held at Chapel of the Cross, in Madison, Mississippi at 10 a.m. on Saturday April, 24. A visitation will be held at the Chapel of the Cross on Friday, April 23 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.. Due to the COVID-19 protocols everyone will be required to wear a mask at the visitation and service.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Clarion Ledger from Apr. 21 to Apr. 23, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for William Fanning

Sponsored by Sebrell Funeral Home.

9 Entries

Ibby Joseph

April 27, 2021

Tom and Marjie,
I was the Assistant Principal at St. Joseph when Will was a student there. My condolences to you.
Ibby Joseph

Richard Self

April 26, 2021

Marjie,
I am so saddened to hear of the loss of Will. Words cannot express my condolences and sympathy for what you and Tom are experiencing. I pray that God will provide you comfort and assurance that Will is in a better place and you will see him again. Stay strong and trust that God will help you through this difficult time. Thinking of you both,
Richard

Ginny Walker Shurlds

April 26, 2021

Marjie, you may not remember me but our moms were roommates in college, and your mother was one of my mom‘s bridesmaids. My mom, dad, and I came to see y’all when I was in elementary school and spent the night at your home in Florence. My husband and I attend Christ Church, & Rev.Seth Walley mentioned about the loss of your precious son. My college roommate Deborah and her husband John are also members of St. John’s. So when I read the obituary, it all clicked. I just now shared this sad news with my mother at her assisted living. She remembers your mom so well and talked about how smart she was and what a good friend. My husband and I offer our sincerest condolences at this difficult time.

TYROME BIVINS

April 24, 2021

Will Fanning was an amazing individual! We crossed paths at South Alabama and God could not have had better timing. We met when we needed each other most. I didn’t know much about civil engineering and he needed a place to stay his first week in town while they prepared his apartment!! He was my dog ever since!! Glad I got to meet that kind soul. Rest easy big homie!!

Michael Stribling

April 23, 2021

Our son, Zac, went to St. Joe with Will. They were close friends & Nancy & I thought the world of Will. Our sympathies and prayers are with Tom, Marjie & the entire family.

Ann and Sonny Pickett & Family

April 23, 2021

As Will was already in college when ya'll made the move to St. John's in Pascagoula, we didn't get to know Will very well. Your stories of Will and expressions of excitement when he would come home for visits let us know the love that was shared between you. We have heard stories of Will's compassion for others. Our hearts are sad and we will continue to pray for God's healing grace.

Jan and Charlie Hogue

April 22, 2021

Tom and Marjie, Our hearts are with you. There are no words to adequately express our condolences to you in the loss of your beloved son, and our friend, Will. He will always be remembered, loved, and dearly missed. May God grant you peace, comfort, and strength during this very difficult time.

Yvette Jones

April 22, 2021

My deepest condolences.

Patsy and John Switzer

April 22, 2021

Tom and Marjie, our hearts go out to you. Whenever I heard Tom speak of Will, the love that the two of you had for him was always evident. May Will rest in God's peace and rise in Christ's glory. I know he'll be looking over you both from the realm of the Larger Life in Christ.

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