Benjamin Roy Nanney passed away in Waynesville, NC on September 1, 2026 at the age of 92. Roy was born in Swannanoa, Buncombe County, NC on November 12, 1933. 

Over the years, he cultivated many friends and developed numerous interests. Roy graduated from Swannanoa High School in 1952. He excelled in sports and attended Western Carolina University on a football scholarship, then started his working career with American Enka in 1954. In 1956, he answered the call to serve his country in Germany with Gen. Patton’s 3rd Armored Division (Hell on Wheels) during peacetime. He was a true patriot and was especially proud of his military service. After his time in the U.S. Army, he returned to American Enka (BASF) both in Enka, NC and Morristown, TN. 

During his career, he obtained business and chemistry degrees from the University of Tennessee, and retired from BASF as a process engineer in 1993. Roy married Louise Greene of Waynesville in 1960 and they built a life centered on faith, family, work and service to the community. They shared many wonderful years of adventures and travels during their lives together. Roy’s interests included softball, bowling, and he was a dedicated runner. Most of all, he was an experienced outdoorsman, and one of the most successful deer hunters in the NC mountains, TN and SC.

His faith in God was a guidepost for Roy, and he enjoyed singing in the choir at Hillcrest Baptist (Morristown, TN) and was a dedicated member of Ratcliffe Cove Baptist (Waynesville, NC) until his passing. 

Roy leaves behind his wife, Louise Greene Nanney, and sister-in-law Vivian G. Kelley, as well as a number of nieces and nephews, and grand and great-grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Elsa Nanney, his sister Hazel Jenkins, and brothers Charles and Franklin Nanney. 

The funeral service honoring Mr. Nanney’s life will be held at Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 2:00 PM. Visitation with the family will begin at noon. Interment will immediately follow the service at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park in Waynesville; Military Honors will begin at 3:15 PM.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Ratcliffe Cove Baptist Church, 1300 Ratcliff Cove Road, Waynesville, NC, 28786, in memory of Mr. Benajmin Nanney.

The care of Mr. Nanney has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.