William R. Fanning Sr.

William Ray Fanning, Sr., 90 years young, passed away on August 20, 2025. He was the loving husband of his “doll,” the late Phyllis (Craig) Fanning.

Born in Danvers on December 5, 1934, William was the eldest son of the late John and Beatrice (Jones) Fanning. He was raised and educated in Danvers and graduated from Holten High School. William served our country honorably in the United States Army.

A highly regarded civil engineer, William earned his bachelor’s degree from Merrimack College and his master’s and Ph.D. from Northeastern University. He had a distinguished career at MIT Lincoln Labs, working on numerous top-secret projects. Most notably, he contributed to the Haystack Radome project during the Cold War, which was used by NASA to intercept enemy communications. The radome remains in use today.

William, known for his love of speed, was a lifelong car enthusiast. He was a regular at New England Dragway from the 1960s through the 1990s, racing in his metallic blue, special-edition 1969 Plymouth Barracuda 340.

Affectionately known by many as “Mr. Soup,” William loved spending winters at his camp in Norton, Vermont, where he snowmobiled with his family—always on the move. When he wasn’t up north, he enjoyed 12 weeks a year vacationing in sunny Pompano Beach, Florida.

He cherished his nightly family dinners with his children and grandchildren, watching The Weather Channel, playing Sudoku, and keeping warm by the fireplace.

William is survived by his son and three daughters: Bill Fanning, Jr. and his wife Terri of Mint Hill, NC; Linda Doherty and her late husband Dan of Salem, NH; Dianne Reddy and her late husband Bill of Beverly; and Dawn Fanning-Driscoll and her husband Patrick of Cape Coral, FL. He also leaves thirteen grandchildren: Katrina Arsenault, Conner Fanning, Kevin Fanning, Kellie Fanning, Daniel Doherty and his wife Emily, Sean Doherty, Philip Doherty and his wife Amelia, Mary Reddy, Billy Reddy, Brady Reddy, Kyle Reddy, and Ryan Fanning and his wife Taylor; and three great-grandchildren: Ryan, Aria, Sofia, and one on the way, Cece. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.
William was predeceased by his granddaughter Caitlyn Fanning and his brother Harry Fanning.

May the snowmobile trail be smooth, the Barracuda burn rubber, and may he hit every green light. Evil 8 out.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, from 4–7 PM at C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers. His funeral service will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at 10 AM at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Annunciation Cemetery, 155 Hobart St., Danvers.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in William’s name to Beverly Bootstraps at https://beverlybootstraps.org/donate or to the Beverly Council on Aging, 90 Colon St., Beverly, MA 01915. Online directions and condolences are available at www.LyonsFuneral.com.