Lexington County Councilman and Chairman Bill Banning passed away last Friday morning.

Banning represented the residents of District 8 in West Columbia for 16 years.

During his tenure, Banning served as the chairman of council 5 times between 1996 and 2013.

He also served as vice chairman of council in 2010 and 2011.

“Bill did many great things to improve his district as well as help make decisions that positioned our County for future growth and progress. He will be sorely missed,” County Council Chairman Scott Whetstone said.

“The County of Lexington holds the Banning family in our hearts and prays that they may find solace in their time of mourning,” Lexington County spokesperson Harrison Cahill said in a press release.