W.O. Nanny

Walter Otho Nanny, best known as W.O., ran with his new knees into the loving arms of his Savior Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Abilene, Texas. He was 80 years old. A celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at East Side Baptist Church with the Rev. Terry Bunch officiating under the direction of Haskell Funeral Home, 2 Avenue D. Condolences may be made at www.haskellfuneralhometx.com

W.O. was born December 12, 1944, in Houston, Texas, to Otho Walter Nanny and Jenelle Tucker Nanny. Growing up in Haskell, Texas, W.O. put his energetic nature to use playing baseball, football, and track. He attended Haskell and Paint Creek high schools.

In 1967, he joined his father Otho in the plumbing business, and his brother Joel came alongside them in 1974. The Nanny boys provided service to the residents of Haskell for more than 50 years. W.O. took extreme pride in his work with Nanny Plumbing and made numerous friends through the years. In 2018, he and Joel retired, but still found time here and there to take the occasional small job, especially for their little ole ladies. He had a soft spot for the elderly, especially the widow ladies. For several years he drove the church bus to make sure they arrived safely, and on time, to Sunday and Wednesday worship services.

W.O. and Muriel Louise Swinson married on June 20, 1970, and their love story continued for almost 55 years. When daughters, Julie and Kelly, were born, his girls became his greatest source of pride. Oh, the drama of raising daughters, but he loved nothing better than a house full of giggling girls. The family spent most of their summers at Lake Stamford where they fished, waterskied, laughed and loved big. W.O. taught many of those same giggling girls how to waterski. And when they were not skiing, he took great pleasure in slinging them off the big, orange tube. As the years passed, he shared that same love of lake life with his four grandchildren. Not many summers were complete without a good, old-fashioned fish fry. W.O. fried the best fish and grilled quite a tasty sirloin, which always drew an eager group of taste testers.

In January 2024, W.O. was recognized for his 50 years as a Master Mason by The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas Ancient Free & Accepted Masons. He was a member of East Side Baptist Church.

W.O. is preceded in death by his parents, sister Beth Freshour, and brother Ben Nanny.

He is survived by his wife Muriel of Haskell; daughter Julie Gaynor (Scott) of Wichita Falls; daughter Kelly Campbell (Ryan) of Lubbock; brother Joel Nanny (Betsy) of Haskell; sister-in-law Delores Nanny of Abilene; grandchildren Seth Campbell, Tyler Gaynor, Kate Campbell, and Trevor Gaynor; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Hendrick Hospice Center in Abilene or East Side Baptist Church in Haskell.