1950
The Rev. James Edwin Alewine, Oct. 5, 2024, Summerville, S.C. A graduate of Candler School of Theology at Emory University, he became a deacon in the United Methodist Church in 1952, but his first church appointment was in 1950 while he was still a student. He retired in 1992 after serving both pastoral and administrative positions. In 2017, he was named pastor emeritus of Bethany United Methodist Church in Summerville. He was a U.S. Army veteran with service in World War II.
1951
James Rufus “Pee Wee” Lambert Jr., June 28, 2024, Pacolet, S.C. Lambert delivered newspapers, worked in textile mills, coached and played Textile League and American Legion baseball and operated the Canteen in Inman, S.C., before discovering his passion for teaching. He was a teacher, coach, guidance counselor and principal for many years while continuing to coach youth baseball. He was famous for always carrying a trunk load of baseball equipment with him to hand out at impromptu games.
Moss Holman Perrow Sr., Oct. 25, 2024, Cameron, S.C. Perrow was a former partner of Sunshine Farms, former owner of Moss H. Perrow & Sons and former owner of Western Auto in St. Matthews, S.C. In addition, he was the co-owner of Cameron Cotton & Seed Co., a position that earned him the Southeastern Cotton Ginner of the Year award in 1986. He was committed to his family, his community, Shady Grove United Methodist Church and the agricultural profession.
1954
The Rev. Archie Rufus Bigelow Jr., Sept. 14, 2024, Irmo, S.C. A U.S. Army veteran and graduate of the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Bigelow was ordained as a deacon and elder with full connection in the United Methodist Church. He retired in 1997 after 42 years in the ministry. He was known for his warmth, integrity and unshakable commitment to God, his family and community. He served congregations throughout South Carolina, extending his ministry to car repairs and carpentry projects. He helped establish the first rescue squads in the Landrum and Timmonsville communities and found his service to the Methodist Conference Board of Insurance and Pensions particularly fulfilling.
1955
Lambert Perry “Buddy” Hammond, Oct. 2, 2024, Spartanburg, S.C. Hammond played football at Wofford. He joined the U.S. Air Force and became a pilot, flying KC-97 refueling tanker aircraft out of Westover Air Force Base. After leaving the service, he worked in the family business, Hammond-Brown-Jennings Furniture Co. He managed the Goodwill store and later became president and buyer for the main store. He retired in 2000. Hammond was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where he supported youth programs.
William Keith Parris, Sept. 17, 2024, Spartanburg, S.C. Parris served in the U.S. Army as a first lieutenant. He retired as executive director of the Spartanburg County Board of Education, having served as a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent during his career. Parris was an active member of Central United Methodist Church, the Civitan Club of Spartanburg and the Spartanburg County Health Department board, on which he served for 30 years. He was one of the founders of the Spartanburg County Citizen-Scholars program.
1958
The Rev. Ted Hamilton Gaines, Aug. 20. 2024, Greenville, S.C. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate, Gaines served as pastor of Russell Memorial Presbyterian Church in Greenville for 30 years and continued his ministry in retirement at Florence Moore Presbyterian Church in Wellford for an additional 20 years. He was happiest when serving others, preaching, exercising and studying history.
1959
William Perry “Willie” Simril, Sept. 2, 2024, Pell City, Ala. Simril served in the U.S. Navy as a munitions specialist in Korea before enrolling at Wofford. He served as president of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity at Wofford. He loved sports and the outdoors and was a dedicated husband, father and mentor.
1961
Alexander Harold “Alec” Chaplin, Oct. 9, 2024, Neeses, S.C. A U.S. Army veteran, he grew up working his family’s farm, learning the work ethic he employed professionally through a career in real estate development. He founded The Chaplin Co. over 55 years ago and was proud to work alongside his son for the past 25 years. He gave generously within his church, community, schools and municipalities. An avid outdoorsman, he loved fishing and hunting on his farm. He was a member, deacon and elder of Eastminster Presbyterian Church and a charter member of the Columbia East Rotary Club.
1963
Charles William “Bill” Ebert, Aug. 14, 2024, Lexington, S.C. Ebert served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining the Wofford community. For much of his career, he worked in sales, retiring from The Home Depot in 2007. He and his wife, Shirley, were married for 52 years. He was committed to his faith and his community. He loved playing golf, fishing, camping with his family and being on stage. Theater was something he loved from a young age, and he enjoyed entertaining.
1965
Manson Richard Alley, Sept. 9, 2024, Jacksonville, Fla. Alley began a career in banking that took him and his family to seven different cities in three different states. He retired in 2001 as a senior vice president who oversaw the consumer credit lending division of the bank for the state of Florida for 14 years. Heavily involved in his church and community, Alley had a special affinity for the Boy Scouts of America, with whom he enjoyed leading his son’s patrol and camping with the troop; Seamark Ranch, a home for children; and the ALS Association, in memory of his wife, who died of Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Franklin Dewey Marshall III, Sept. 2, 2024, Rock Hill, S.C. He was a member of Ebenezer ARP Church for 44 years, serving as a deacon and elder and singing in the choir. He enjoyed music, fishing, hunting and golf. Marshall worked alongside his grandfather and father, eventually becoming owner and operator of Marshall Piano Co.
1966
John Arant Butler, June 19, 2024, Waynesboro, Va. Butler was commissioned into the U.S. Army after four years of ROTC at Wofford. He served in Vietnam and was affiliated with Common Sense Consulting until his death. He was known as a good neighbor and friend.
1968
Don Wendell Ford, Aug. 17, 2024, Lexington, S.C. Ford had a 30-year career with the state of South Carolina and the Employment Security Commission. He coordinated training programs for unemployed and disadvantaged youth, administering federal grants and serving on various advisory councils. He completed advanced studies at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. His passions in retirement were reading, research, travel, music, family and volunteer service at Lexington Medical Center. His grandchildren fondly remember his entertaining jokes and riddles.
1969
Robert Alfred Moore Sr., Aug. 18, 2024, Spartanburg, S.C. Moore retired from the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Department in 2009 after 32 years of service. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Spartanburg and an active Sunday School member of the congregation.
Oliver Kimory Stanley, Jan. 31, 2024, Hartsville, S.C. Stanley spent most of his career as an environmental manager for General Electric, Siemens, Cargill and Sonoco. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha at Wofford and cherished the friendships he developed with his brothers in the fraternity. He and his wife, Stephanie, enjoyed traveling and spending time with family during retirement.
1970
David Reid McCutcheon, Oct. 28, 2024, Westminster, S.C. McCutcheon played football for the Terriers and became known throughout his life for his dedication to the community. He served on the boards of several organizations, was a past owner and operator of gyms and restaurants and worked for a time for Spartan Foods, the United Way and as a professional wrestler. Recognized repeatedly for community service, he founded the Oconee Crisis Center. McCutcheon enjoyed boxing, powerlifting, making music with the Rants and spending time with family at the beach.
1972
Leland Wannamaker Rhame, Sept. 13, 2024, Morganton, N.C. He was the founder and former owner of Blue Ridge Audiology. His graduate degree in the field was from the University of South Carolina. Rhame was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in Korea. He enjoyed hiking, traveling and tending his Japanese maple collection.
1974
Dr. LeRoy Fairchild “Roy” Smith, Sept. 24, 2024, Columbia, S.C. Smith earned degrees or did postdoctoral fellowships at the University of South Carolina (M.A.), State University of New York, Buffalo (Ph.D.), Stanford University and Dartmouth College. He began his career with South Carolina Health and Human Services in the Department of Community Long Term Care and concluded as state director of the organization. He and his wife visited 49 states as well as Canada, England and Italy. He retired in 2017 and enjoyed the peace of farm life.
1977
Stephen Norwood Harvey, July 3, 2024, Kinston, N.C. An avid sportsman with a passion for hunting, boating, fishing and bird dogs, he worked in banking, retiring in 2010 from First Citizens Bank in New Bern. He was a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity at Wofford.
1979
Charles Burr “Chuck” Way Jr., Oct. 13, 2024, Waynesville, N.C. Way enjoyed working and riding motorcycles as well as spending time with family and friends. He served the community as an officer with the Waynesville Police Department, retiring as a lieutenant after 34 years. He also worked with the Haywood County Sherriff’s Office.
1980
George Thomas “Tommy” Self Jr., Sept. 5, 2024, Sumter, S.C. Self was the owner and operator of Gamecock Chemical Co. He was a member of the Church of the Holy Comforter (Anglican), and he served in the U.S. Army National Guard, flying helicopters. He loved adventure and enjoyed scuba diving, snow skiing and playing golf. His greatest treasure was his family.
1991
Walter Duane Scharer II, Oct. 19, 2024, Shelby, N.C. Scharer held a master’s degree in city and regional planning from Clemson University. His love of his profession brought him to Shelby as a city planner, which allowed him to raise his family closer to relatives in Hickory. He was a brother of Sigma Nu fraternity and loved boating, football and serving others.
2007
LaRone Kashod Washington, Oct. 22, 2024, Columbia, S.C. Washington was the assistant attorney general and director of insurance fraud for the South Carolina Attorney General’s office. A graduate of the Charleston School of Law, he clerked for the Hon. Michael G. Nettles in Florence, S.C., and worked in the 3rd Circuit Solicitor’s Office before joining the Office of the Attorney General.