William Daniel Cannon, Jr.

William Daniel Cannon, Jr. (78)

With his favorite bluegrass gospel playing and family by his side, William D. "Billy" Cannon closed his final "deal" peacefully at home in Cape Coral, FL after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Charlottesville, VA in 1943 and raised just up the road in Culpeper, Billy had an idyllic, small-town childhood growing up with his parents, William Sr and Ellen Cannon.  Both from humble beginnings, they valued education, honesty, hard work and humility.  Never forgetting Sunday dinners at his grandmother "Big Momma's" farm in Castleton, Billy embodied and regularly preached these qualities to his children and grandchildren.

He earned his BS in Finance from Washington and Lee University, and his MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia, all while working for Dr. Charlie Hurt and falling in love with the real estate business.  After a successful career in Washington, Billy's intense entrepreneurial spirit inspired him to establish Cannon Properties with his wife Nancy in 1985.  They successfully developed multifamily, commercial and golf course properties in Virginia and South Carolina.  The business continues to thrive with daughter Alex and son Jeff at the helm.

Some of Billy's greatest passions were "doing deals", boating, fishing, and playing golf.  He was a diehard UVA fan, following his beloved "Hoos" all over the country to cheer them on in basketball, football and baseball.  Finance or sports were what he watched, baseball season was always his favorite, endless games always on his TV.  He loved music, especially Bluegrass, attending loads of concerts and festivals.  He greatly enjoyed playing cards with friends, for years hosting Friday nights of man fun.

Billy established the "Hillbilly Open Golf Tournament" in Hilton Head, SC to bring together friends from all over the US annually for 25 years.  It was a fun, relaxing event where he got to entertain and play with his beloved friends from all walks of life, big boy, hillbilly style.

Billy always looked on the bright side of everything.  He said there were no mistakes, but opportunities to learn.  His eclectic group of family and wonderful friends will remember his smile, constant teasing and sense of humor.  The life of the party, he always found ways to make everyone feel comfortable and valuable.  He saw the special gifts and talents in others and did his best to help them shine.  As Jimmy Buffet wisely said of his life, "Some of its magic, some of its tragic, but I had a great life all the way".

Billy was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and loyal friend to many.  He leaves behind his loving wife, Nancy Ellen Cannon;  Children - Charlotte Haymore Cannon and Tommy Robinson of Ellenboro, NC, Leslie Alexander Cannon and husband Porter Smith of Charlottesville, VA, Jennifer Anne Petagna of Rock Hill, SC, and Jeffrey Alan Petagna and wife Andrea of Culpeper, VA; Grandchildren - Will Graves, Charlotte Stack, Chapin Smith, Rachel Sutton and husband Aaron, Julia Petagna, Miranda Petagna, and Carson Petagna;  Great-grandchildren - Ellie, Emma, Landon and Nicolette;  devoted "Doodle Dog" Teddy;  "adopted sons" Marshall Jenkins and Drew Holzwarth; and many special friends.

"Go rest high on that mountain, your work on Earth is done."

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.