Wilbur "Pete" Lanier

Wilbur “Pete” Lanier, 91, passed away peacefully on 5 January 2021 after a brief illness. Pete was the loving husband of Hilda C. Lanier for the last 69 years. He was the devoted father to Leslie C. Kempler of Eldersburg, MD., Lynn N. Tyree (George) of Orange Park, FL., and Bruce A. Lanier (Susan) of Edgewater, MD. Pete was born in Baltimore, MD, on 17 January 1929 to the late Alonzo and Ethel Lanier and educated in Baltimore City. After two storied careers with the B&O, Western Maryland and CSX Railroads and the U.S. Navy Reserve stationed at Fort McHenry MD., Pete retired in 1987 to a life devoted to volunteering his time and talents to many organizations such as the A.A. County Optimist Club where he coached little league football, and Jobs Daughters where he mentored many young women. Pete also volunteered for the Maryland State Police performing administrative duties at Barrack “P” on Aviation Blvd in Glen Burnie, MD. Pete spent countless hours reading Western and Adventure fiction, especially Clive Cussler. Pete made numerous friends at the Pascal Senior Center on Dorsey Rd where he dabbled in the art of stained glass. Pete was a 62-year Master Mason where he was a member and Past Master of Pythagoras Lodge #123 of Baltimore, MD. Pete is survived by eight grandsons, CMDR Michael Tyree USN (Kathrine), LT Timothy Tyree USNR (Allison), CAPT Matthew Tyree USA (Gabrielle), Daniel Kempler (Jamie), Adam Kempler, Alan Lanier, David Lanier and Thomas Lanier (Katharine); and four great-grandchildren, Samantha & Finn Tyree, Jane Tyree and Evan Gibbons-LaPlume. Pete was predeceased by his brother, Severn E. Lanier; son-in-law, Myron I. Kempler; and grandson, Carl B. Lanier.

Visitation will be held at Singleton Funeral & Cremation Services, located at 1 2nd Ave. S.W. Glen Burnie, MD on 13 January 2021 from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM with a Masonic Memorial service scheduled at 6:30 PM. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are only allowing 40 people inside the funeral home at one time and requiring masks for all visitors. We kindly ask that you please keep your visit brief, as there may be people waiting to enter the funeral home. Interment will take place at Meadow Ridge Memorial Park located at 7250 Washington Blvd, Baltimore MD, 21227 on 14 January 2021 at 12:15 after a Christian funeral service at Singleton’s at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bennie G. Owens Youth Memorial Fund, 162 Conduit St. Annapolis, MD, 21401 or to a youth organization of your choice.