William Davis Templeton

William Davis Templeton, 100, of Fort Mill, SC, passed away Monday, November 13, 2017. Born in Columbia, SC, on February 5, 1917 to the late Ellen Jeanette and Robert Rhett Templeton, he is survived by his children Amanda DiResta, Ellen Klein, William Davis Templeton Jr. (Michele) and grandchildren Patricia and Elizabeth DiResta, Daniel, Laura and Robert Klein, Sarah and Elizabeth Templeton, Matthew Surey (Wendy) and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Margaret Bruce (Dolly) Horton Templeton.

A graduate of the Clemson class of 1943, he completed Officer Candidate School, joining the armed forces as an Army 2nd Lieutenant and later transferring to the Air Force and serving overseas during World War II in the South Pacific and with the occupation forces in Japan. He came home in 1946 as an Air Force Captain and for several years continued his service in the Reserves where he was promoted to Major.

He worked for Springs Industries Inc., beginning at age 13 as a part-time sweeper at the Lancaster Plant. He was very proud to be one of the early beneficiaries of the Springs education loan program, which enabled him to attend and graduate from what was then known as Clemson College. In the course of his 50-plus years at Springs, he held several positions at plants in Lancaster, Chester, Fort Mill, Kershaw and Fort Lawn, and was a plant manager in Kershaw and Fort Mill, where he lived since 1969.

He cherished his family and they adored him. After courting and marrying his beloved wife, Dolly, in 1947, one of the central joys of his life was his role as husband and father. Possessed of a great sense of humor, he loved to tell a good story (several of them many times over) and enjoyed making his children and grandchildren laugh. He was an active and dedicated member of the Presbyterian Church, serving as a Deacon and Elder and finally an Elder Emeritus. He was a member of Unity Presbyterian Church in Fort Mill for more than 45 years.

Golf was his sport and he played a pretty good game well into his nineties. He loved to travel and even late in his eighties was delighted to escort his daughter Amanda and granddaughters Elizabeth and Patricia around Paris and London. The small party for his 100th birthday was enjoyed by all, and he and family members celebrated with cake, great stories and his cocktail of choice, bourbon and ginger ale. Just two weeks before his death he made a short but pleasant last foray out on the town with family.

Seven years ago his son Davis and daughter-in-law Michele moved back to Fort Mill, enabling him to continue living on his own in the house he loved on Fairway Drive until almost the very end. Only a few final weeks were spent at an assisted living facility where he charmed everyone he met.

Virtually all of his contemporary friends have passed on before him, but his good nature and openhearted friendliness never ceased to cast a wide net, and he will be missed by many. His was truly a wonderful life.

Funeral services will be at 1 pm Saturday November 18 in the Historical Sanctuary of Unity Presbyterian Church in Fort Mill, SC and the family will receive friends afterward in the Old Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Unity Presbyterian Church.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.palmettofh.com

Palmetto Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fort Mill is serving the family of Mr. Templeton.

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