Remembering
Bill Harlin
William Wirt “Bill”
Harlin, Jr., a lifelong ad-
vocate for the Tennessee
Walking Horse, passed
away in the early morning
hours of Wednesday, June
14. He was 92.
Bill was the oldest of
four children to the late
William Wirt Harlin, Sr.,
and Luella Leek. He was
married to wife Barba-
ra Ann Nunnally for 63
years before her passing
in November of 2010.
The couple raised three
children, sons William W.
“Wirt” III and Clayton T.
“Clay, Sr., and daughter,
Mary Camille.
The Harlin family pur-
chased the 200-acre Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin, Tennesse in 1937 and in less than a decade
it was, arguably, the most famous Tennessee Walking Horse breeding farm in the world. That
distinction was solidified in 1945 when Midnight Sun became the first stallion to win the title
of World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse. He repeated the feat in 1946 and went
on to become the breed’s most successful breeding stallion. He was “The Horse of the Century.”
Bill was committed to the betterment of the Tennessee Walking Horse, a commitment he
inherited from his father. He was a past president of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’
and Exhibitors’ Association, a member of the Tennessee Horse Council, and a member of the
National Horse Council. In 2011, he was presented with a Distinguished Service Award from
the National Pedigreed Livestock Council.
Away from his beloved Tennessee Walking Horses, Bill was a Lifetime Trustee of Battle
Ground Academy and Director Emeritus of Franklin Synergy Bank. He was also an active
member of Brentwood Hills Church of Christ and The Son Seekers Sunday School Class.
In addition to his wife, Barbara, he was predeceased by his son William W. “Wirt” III and
brothers Tom, Alex, and Bob. He is survived by his children, Camille and Clay; grandchildren
Bill Harlin, Anna Beck, Tom Harlin, Talbot Harlin, Mary Camille Hickerson, Harlin Hicker-
son, Meredith Harlin Lomasney, and eight great grandchildren.
12 • Walking On