William Green DesChamps, Jr. August 29, 1917 – April 8, 2009

Bishopville, SC

 

Services for William Green DesChamps, Jr., 91, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Bethlehem United Methodist Church with the Rev. Paul Rogers Officiating. Burial will follow in the Bethlehem United Methodist Church Cemetery.

 

The family will receive friends at the home of Green and Cindy DesChamps, 136 Denny Pond Road.

 

Mr. DesChamps died at his home April 8, 2009. Born August 29, 1917 in Bishopville, he was the son of the late William Green and Etta Hearon DesChamps. He was a graduate of Clemson Agricultural and Mechanical College with a BS Degree in 1938. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army, 47^th Field Artillery.

 

He married the late Elizabeth Noble Duvall on March 8, 1944 and they were married for 60 years until her death in March 2004.

 

He was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church and served it faithfully his entire life.

 

William Green’s professional career consisted of being owner and president of Bishopville Petroleum Co., Inc., Quick Mart of Bishopville, Inc. president of Bishopville Cotton and Gin Co. and past president of the SC Oil Jobbers Association from 1957 – 1959.

 

Affectionately called “Mr. Willie Green”, Mr. DesChamps found no greater joy than helping others and being a true friend to all. He was a former Mayor of Bishopville, South Carolina State Senator, and member of the South Carolina House of Representatives.

 

In 1975, he was appointed to the Clemson University Board of Trustees and loyally served as a board member and Trustee Emeritus until his death. Clemson University also honored him with the Alumni Distinguished Service Award and the Clemson Medallion, the highest recognition bestowed by the University.

 

He was past President of the Clemson IPTAY Club and a member of the IPTAY Board of Directors. His love and devotion to Clemson University and the Clemson Tigers was his lifelong commitment and pledge.

 

He is survived by a daughter, Ruth Kinsey DesChamps of Pawleys Island; two sons, William Green DesChamps, III, and Carroll Green DesChamps, II and his wife Cindy, all of Bishopville; three grandchildren, Elizabeth Moore Winesett, Julia Duvall DesChamps, and William Green DesChamps, IV; and three great-grandchildren, Joe, Green, and Lily Winesett.

 

Memorials may be made to the Bethlehem United Methodist Church Building Fund, PO Box 167, Bishopville, SC 29010; or to the Clemson University Foundation: William Green DesChamps, Jr. donations, PO Box 1889, Clemson, SC 29633.

 

Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home of Bishopville is in charge of the arrangements.