William "Bill" Vance Cansler

William Vance (Bill) Cansler, age 92, passed away on October 11, 2017.  Born in Macon County on May 10, 1925, he was the son of the late Zeb & Hallie Tippett Cansler.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Ruby Baldwin Cansler; an infant son, Freddie Cansler; an infant sister, Elizabeth Cansler and brother, Lewis Cansler.

He was a 1942 graduate of Franklin High School & attended Blanton’s Business College in Asheville.

He served in the United States Navy from 1943 – 1946 as an Aviation Radioman and Machine Gunner on a PB4Y2 patrol bomber.  He worked at Nantahala Power & Light Company for 40 years beginning as an Accountant and retiring as Purchasing Manager.

He was an active member of First Baptist Church having served as a Deacon and Church Clerk.  He was a member of Gideons International for many years.  He was an Assistant Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster for Troop 221, Boy Scouts of America and was selected the Scoutmaster of the Year for the Daniel Boone Council in 1968. He was a volunteer for the Medication Assistance Program until age 91 and provided over 2,000 hours of service.

Bill loved people and never met a stranger.  He loved to farm, tinker with machinery and electronics, and raise cattle.

He is survived by one daughter, Jane C Kimsey of Franklin, NC, and two sons William Dan Cansler of Sylva, NC, and Robert E “Bob” Cansler and wife, Loretta of Concord, NC; four grandchildren, Rebecca C Hunter (Robbie) of Concord, NC, Sarah K Shearl (Allen) of Franklin, NC, Reece W Kimsey of Charleston, SC, and Danielle C Harris (Jeremy) of Sylva, NC; four great-grandsons, Cameron and Weston Shearl, Mason and Noah Hunter, and one expected great granddaughter,  Olivia Harris, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 3:00 PM at the First Baptist Church of Franklin, NC.  The family will receive friends beginning at 12:30 PM at the church.  A military graveside committal will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Mark West, Greg Kinsland, David Kinsland, John Cansler, Johnny Waldroop, Matt Ledbetter, Matthew West, and Adam Waldroop.  Honorary Pallbearers will be present and former Boy Scouts.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Online condolences may be left at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com

Bryant Grant Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Cansler family.

 Service Information