Zane Billy Shannon Lewis, a Remarkable and Cherished 11-Year-Old From Bulan, Kentucky, Remembered for a Life That Radiated Light, Joy, and Unforgettable Kindness

BULAN, KENTUCKY — With hearts weighted in sorrow and love too deep for words, the family, friends, and entire community of Bulan, Kentucky, are mourning the profound loss of Zane Billy Shannon Lewis, a bright and compassionate 11-year-old whose time among us was far too short, yet whose impact will echo for lifetimes.

Zane passed from this world on June 8, 2025, surrounded by love, leaving behind a trail of warmth, wonder, and unforgettable moments that have transformed every life they touched. From their earliest days, Zane embodied joy in its purest form — a child who glowed with creativity, empathy, and boundless imagination.

A Childhood of Wonder and Meaning

Zane’s journey began in the quiet hills of Bulan, nestled in Kentucky’s Perry County, where community runs deep and neighbors feel like extended family. From the moment Zane entered the world, they brought with them a light that never dimmed. Those closest to Zane often say they had a magical quality — the kind of person who instinctively understood feelings, noticed the quiet details others missed, and offered comfort with a touch or smile.

From learning how to walk to climbing trees in the backyard, Zane navigated the world with open eyes and an even more open heart. They delighted in every discovery — bugs under rocks, stars in the night sky, clouds shaped like dragons, and stories that transported them to faraway lands. Every moment was an adventure, and Zane savored each one as though it were a gift.

A Spirit Overflowing With Love and Creativity

Zane’s favorite pastimes were woven with creativity and thoughtfulness. They could spend hours drawing vibrant characters from their imagination, composing notes and poems, or carefully crafting small gifts for loved ones. Their artistic spirit wasn’t about recognition — it was about joy, expression, and giving others a piece of their heart.

A lover of books, Zane especially enjoyed fantasy tales and stories of wonder. They had an incredible memory, quoting lines from favorite novels and inventing their own sequels. Zane also showed talent in music, gently plucking out melodies on the piano, sometimes improvising lullabies for their family’s beloved dog, who rarely left their side.

The joy Zane spread wasn’t limited to home. At school, classmates gravitated toward them, not because they were the loudest or flashiest, but because Zane made people feel valued. They saw the good in others and encouraged them to see it too.

A Heart That Changed Lives

Those who knew Zane will always remember the sincerity they carried into every interaction. Whether they were comforting a friend after a tough day, volunteering to help a teacher clean up the classroom, or giving a heartfelt compliment to someone who needed it most, Zane moved through life with rare compassion.

Zane’s words had weight — not from volume, but from thoughtfulness. A simple “thank you” or “I’m glad you’re here” from them could lift a heavy heart. They never forgot a birthday, always asked about others’ days, and instinctively made space for people to be themselves.

At church gatherings, Zane could often be found asking questions that adults would quietly ponder long after: “Why do we call them stars if they’re really suns?” “Do butterflies ever get scared?” “How can you know if someone feels lonely inside?” These were not just passing curiosities — they were glimpses into Zane’s deep, intuitive soul.

An Unbreakable Family Bond

Zane was the treasured child of Paige Hoskins and Bill Deaton, who poured endless love, wisdom, and tenderness into their parenting. Their home was a sanctuary where imagination was celebrated, kindness was modeled, and every emotion had a safe place to land. Their devotion to Zane was evident in every bedtime story, every shared meal, and every quiet moment spent simply being together.

Zane also shared a special and enduring bond with a beloved younger sister, who now carries the bittersweet memories of giggles under blankets, whispered secrets before sleep, and wide-eyed shared dreams about the future. Their relationship was one of pure love — a daily source of strength and joy that will live on in the laughter and memories they created side-by-side.

This close-knit family, though shaken to its core, remains bound by love and the unshakable imprint Zane left on their hearts. Their grief is immeasurable, but so too is their pride in the remarkable person Zane was.

A Community United in Grief and Gratitude

As word of Zane’s passing spread throughout the Bulan community and neighboring towns, the response was both immediate and heartfelt. Neighbors, classmates, teachers, and strangers alike expressed their sorrow, often accompanied by stories of how Zane’s simple gestures had lifted their spirits or made a lasting impression.

The elementary school Zane attended transformed its entrance into a garden of paper flowers and memory notes. Messages poured in from children and educators: “Zane helped me when I was scared.” “Zane made me feel like I mattered.” “The world was brighter with them in it.”

Local churches offered prayers, businesses lowered their flags, and parents hugged their own children just a little tighter. A candlelight vigil was held at the town square on the evening of June 9, where soft music played and stories were shared — laughter and tears mingling in the air.

Honoring Zane’s Legacy: A Vision for the Future

Though grief remains raw, Zane’s family is determined to honor their memory in meaningful, life-affirming ways. Plans are underway to launch the Zane Lewis Creative Kindness Initiative, a program dedicated to providing artistic resources, reading materials, and emotional support services to children in the region.

The initiative will focus on Zane’s core values: curiosity, compassion, creativity, and connection. It will fund after-school art programs, community storytelling events, kindness projects, and therapeutic support services in local schools — each designed to help children find and share their voice, just as Zane did.

Additionally, a memorial garden and learning space will be created in Bulan — a peaceful place where young people can plant seeds, tend to growth, and learn the value of patience, nurturing, and community care.

A Celebration of a Life Beautifully Lived

A Celebration of Life Service will take place on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Bulan Community Church at 2:00 p.m., with visitation starting at 12:30 p.m. The service will include music, readings, and open tributes to honor Zane’s unforgettable spirit. Guests are encouraged to wear vibrant colors in celebration of Zane’s joyful personality.

In keeping with Zane’s generous heart, the family invites those attending to bring a note, drawing, or token that represents a favorite memory or reflection — contributions that will be added to a legacy time capsule, to be sealed and opened in 10 years by Zane’s sister and future children of the community.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Zane Lewis Creative Kindness Fund, managed by the Perry County Community Foundation.

Zane’s Light Will Never Dim

While words cannot mend the hole left behind, they can honor what was, and what remains. Zane Billy Shannon Lewis may no longer walk among us, but their laughter still echoes in playgrounds, their words live on in journals, and their spirit glows in the hearts of everyone they reached.

Their story is not one of loss, but of legacy. A legacy of love given freely, curiosity pursued boldly, and kindness offered without condition.

And though we say farewell for now, we hold fast to the truth Zane showed us every day: even the smallest light can illuminate the darkest skies.