Dr. William “Tom” Lane, 81, of Franklin, passed away Thursday, August 13, 2009.
Born in Lynchburg, VA, he was the son of the late Rev. J. Lester Lane and Grace Olive Lane. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, James Lane and his sister Jean Olive Price. Tom grew up in Greer, SC, where his father was Pastor of the First Baptist Church. He graduated from Mars Hill with his BA as well as the University of Richmond in Virginia and Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, KY where he received his PHD. He was Pastor for several churches in Indiana and Kentucky while he was a student and also of Spring Hill Baptist Church in Canton, NC. Tom was Pastor at First Baptist Church in Franklin from 1963-1973. Later, he owned Macon Insurance Agency for many years before becoming part of Wayah Insurance where he worked his remaining career. He volunteered for many years at Meals on Wheels and Friends of the Greenway; loved camping and fishing and loved his family and friends. Tom was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by his wife, Grace Erwin Lane; four children, Jim Lane of Arden, NC, Carol Lane Justice and husband Harold of Otto, Andrew Lane and wife Katie of Osceola, AR and Phillip Lane and Lori Burse of Franklin and five grandchildren, Trevor Justice, Laney Grace Justice, Lacey Tucker, Dylon Tucker and Mallorie K. Boyles.
Funeral Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Monday, August 17, at the First Presbyterian Church. Rev. Bob Abel and Rev. Janet Greene will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 p.m. Sunday, August 16, at Macon Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Harold Huscusson, Doug Angel, Jeff Cloer, Tony Curtis, Keith Neal, Chris Henry and Richard Clark.
Janet Neal, Chris Mason, Greg Mason, Donnie Lawrence and Danny Lawrence will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.
Memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 26 Church Street, Franklin, NC 28734 or to Dryman's Chapel Methodist Church Building Fund, C/O LeAnn Muse, 600 Sam Corn Rd., Otto, NC 28763.
Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. William Thomas "Tom" Lane, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.