William Leon Cannan

William L. Cannan, 83, of Washington Island, WI passed away peacefully on Monday, October 28, 2024, at Bayview Senior Care in Sturgeon Bay, WI.
He is survived by his children, Gerald (Susan) Cannan of Talbott, TN and Sue (Mike) Cornell of Washington Island, WI and three grandchildren, Nikki Cannan, Christopher Cornell, and Michael (Jasmine) Cornell. He is also survived by his three stepchildren, Laura Leatherman of Key West, FL, Corey (Justine) Cannan of Lockport, IL, and Corena Morehead of Kirksville, MO; eleven step-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Ann Cannan; his two sisters, Ida Lee and Margaret; his three brothers, Robert, John (Jackie), and James; three nephews; and one niece.
He was born March 23, 1941, in Bevier, Missouri, the son of the late John Renie and Elsie (Ricker) Cannan. He graduated from Bevier High School with the Class of 1959. Directly after high school, Bill moved to Cicero, Illinois, and began working at Burlington Northern Railroad. He married Nancy Andersen in 1964 and had two children. They were married for 22 years. He later left the railroad and went to work for Terminal Freight Handling Company as a transportation manager until his retirement. He then worked for Andrew Distribution delivering until 2017.
Bill remarried in 1986 to Martha Ann Montgomery. They were married for 29 years before she passed in 2016.
Bill loved watching and going to NASCAR races and was a die-hard fan of Dale Earnhardt, Sr., and Jr. He thought speed limits were recommendations, not laws. He LOVED driving fast and putting on a show for others. His pride and joy was his 2002 Dale Earnhart Monte Carlo. In his later years, he would tell everyone it went 160 miles per hour, and no one could catch him. He was very proud of it and made sure his children also loved cars. One of his fondest memories was a trip he was able to take with his son to Charlotte NC. to the NASCAR Hall of Fame grand opening and many race shops.
Bill was a dedicated family man and was very proud of his children and their families. He was dedicated to his son and daughter throughout their childhood and helping them make their dreams come true. He traveled far and wide to bring them to all their competitions every weekend. He wanted the best for his children from baseball, softball, gymnastics, dancing lessons, and fixing cars up with his son. He also loved his stepchildren and their families.
Becoming a grandpa (PaPa) was one of his most treasured moments. He made sure he was at their birthdays, christenings, graduations, and later their weddings. His eyes always sparkled for them until the end.
Bill moved back to Missouri in 2017 and was able to stay there until February 2022 when he moved up to Washington Island to live close to his daughter due to medical reasons. After two wonderful years together, he moved to Bayview Senior Care in January of 2024.
The Family would like to thank Bayview Senior Care, Compassus Hospice, and Lakeland for the wonderful care of their father.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in Bevier, MO where he will be laid to rest with his wife Martha.
The family requests donations be made to the Bradley Jordan Gymnasium Foundation for the Washington Island School Gymnasium (P.O. Box 251, Washington Island, WI 54246); Compassus Hospice; the Alzheimer's Foundation; or the Bayview Senior Care activities fund.
Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Sister Bay is assisting the Cannan family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Bill may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.CaspersonFuneralHome.com.
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