Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Bill Fanning, 1926-2007

Las Vegas lost another piece of its colorful past Sunday with the passing of comedian Bill Fanning, affectionately called Uncle Bill or Uncle Willie by friends and fans.

Fanning died of liver and heart failure in Spokane, Wash. He was 81.

He was most closely aligned with the classic burlesque show "Bottoms Up." The revue, which originated in Dallas, came to Las Vegas in the early '60s and remained a staple on the local entertainment scene for more than 40 years.

"Bill was the most loved person you can imagine," said Breck Wall, the producer and star of "Bottoms Up." "He was very witty, extremely witty. He was the politest, nicest person you could ever know. He was just so happy and fun to be around."

Fanning, a native of Wichita Falls, Texas, was Uncle Bill, the host of a television show in Dallas in the mid-'50s, when Wall asked him to join his new production.

"He was with us at the very beginning," Wall said. "He wrote most of the numbers, the black outs, the songs. He was just a very talented guy."

He was talented enough for Hollywood and Broadway but preferred Las Vegas.

"He was a home boy, very loyal to the people he worked for," Wall said. "He never complained, never raised his voice. I don't think there was anyone who didn't just love him because he was so funny and nice and warm, something you just don't have now. Today performers are so temperamental."

After Fanning left "Bottoms Up," he teamed with comedian Carme Pitrello , who was known professionally by his first name only.

The did a series of shows: "Fractured Follies" with Ray Benney . Then they worked in "Bed Time Riot" with Nancy Austin at the Desert Inn and the Thunderbird, "Love of Sex" at the Hacienda and "Wild World of Burlesque" at the Holiday Casino and the Silver Slipper.

"I did love Uncle Willie," Pitrello said. "The last show Uncle Willie did before he retired was with me in 1984 at the Fremont Hotel, a show called 'Skin Tight.' "

Fanning wrote many musicals, including "Razz-Ma-Tazz," "Hags to Witches " and "Cinderolla and the 37 Bears."

"He was always onstage, even at home," said his niece, Lori Lacy of Coeur D'Alene, Idaho. "He was always funny. It was part of his demeanor. He loved show business and he loved being onstage - and he really loved Las Vegas."

Fanning stayed in Las Vegas until 1999, moving to Arizona and then Idaho to be near relatives. He developed Guillain-Barr e syndrome, a disorder of the nervous system, and was forced to move to a veteran s nursing home in Spokane .

"He said he didn't like Spokane because he wasn't a star there," Lacy said.

In addition to Lacy, survivors include his sister, Jo LaForge of Coeur D'Alene ; a nephew, Mike Canon of Kingman, Ariz.; and a great - nephew, Josh Canon of Las Vegas.

At Fanning's request, there will not be any services. He will be cremated , with his ashes taken to the shores of Lake Coeur D'Alene.

archive