William Lee Tanner - Obituary

illiam “Bill” Lee Tanner of Fort Washington, MD passed away on August 21st, 2024. He was 84 years old. Bill was born on July 13th, 1940 in Washington, D.C. to the late James Robert and Naomi Brock Tanner. He attended Anacostia and Suitland high schools. Three years after graduating, he joined the Army (Active duty 1961-'64; Reserves '64-'67). While stationed in Germany, he recognized the opportunity to travel around Europe, which he did frequently. He loved discovering and learning the history of new places! He excelled in his Quartermaster Unit. With those skills, after discharge, he worked for the Olivetti-Underwood Company servicing office machines and typewriters. In 1967, he began his career with Stan Ridgeway Real Estate, where he progressed from Realtor to Broker to Appraiser in Maryland and Washington D.C., over the course of 40 years. Bill was a member of the Lion’s Club in the 1980s. His primary interests included going to museums, gardens, cemeteries and forts....always with camera in hand! He and his family saw everything there was to see in the metro D.C. area, and he knew the city like the back of his hand. Along with his parents and stepfather, Edward Sabatini, he is predeceased by two brothers, James Robert Tanner, Jr., and George Ronald Tanner. Bill is survived by Diana, his beloved wife of 57 years; his daughter, Christina L. Hensley of Quicksburg, VA; his son, William L. Tanner of Fort Washington, MD, and his two outstanding grandsons, Zachary T. Hensley of Dallas, TX, and Simon P. Hensley of Rockingham, VA. A visitation will be held on Monday, September 23, 2024 from 11:30 a.m. until the start of the funeral service at 12:30 p.m. at the KALAS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD 20745. Interment with military honors will be held at 2:30 p.m. at Maryland Veteran's Cemetery, 11301 Crain Highway, Cheltenham, MD 20623. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: VETERANS EQUINE THERAPEUTIC SERVICES and/or Brave HEART Program