Lee Harold Witt

Lee Harold Witt, Jr., 82, of Swansea died Saturday, November 23, 2013. He was born in Swansea, SC, October 22, 1931, son of the late Thelma Crook and Lee Harold Witt, Sr. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 26, 2013, at Swansea United Methodist Church with Rev. Scott Smoak and Rev. David McManus officiating.Burial will be in Melrose Cemetery. The casket will be placed in the church at 1:00 p.m. A retired merchant and community leader, he spent most of his life in the Swansea Community as owner of Lybrand Supply Co., a hardware business which he managed with his family. He served for 4 years on the Swansea Town Council and then as Mayor for 20 years.He served as a Volunteer Fireman in the Swansea Community, retiring after 55 years of service. During his career, he was a Director and President of the Hardware Association of the Carolinas, and Manager of Thelma C. Witt & Sons Farms. He was a State Director of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Adjutant of American Legion Post No. 156, and Forty and Eight Post 1211. For many years he served on the Advisory Board of Lexington State Bank, and was on the S. C. Boy Scout Central Council for 16 years.He was awarded the Boy Scout Silver Beaver Award. On June 11, 1966 he married Annabell Hawley Allen who was the love of his life and his lifelong partner in his business until she died in 2009.He lovingly accepted her two daughters, Barbara and Judy, as his own. A 1952 graduate of Clemson College in Agricultural Engineering, he was an avid Clemson fan holding a membership in IPTAY from his junior year until his death.He served as the Lexington County IPTAY representative and received multiply awards for his service and dedication, including The Super Tiger Award and the David Harley (Judge) Caughman Award.Also, he and his wife established an IPTAY Life Membership at Clemson.The Thelma Crook and Lee Harold Witt, Sr., Scholarship at Clemson University was established in 1987 in memory of his parents to provide undergraduate assistance in the agricultural sciences for Lexington County students. He was commissioned in the U.S.Army Ordnance Corps upon graduation from Clemson and served on active duty from 1952 to 1954 in Texas and Europe, completing his Reserve service as a Captain. A faithful member of the Swansea United Methodist Church, he served and chaired on many committees, taught Sunday School, and gave generously of his time and resources to all church projects. His family consists of; daughters, Barbara A. Black (deceased) and Judy A. Wright; grandchildren, William Lee Black, James Barrett Black (wife, Tiffany), Clayton Edward Black, and Brittany W. Kerns (husband Dustin), two great grandchildren, Dalton Black and Emory Kerns; brother, David H. Witt (wife, Johnnie Lee), Hilton Head Island, SC, and sister, Katherine L. Fugate (deceased). Pallbearers will be The Lexington County Fire Department.Honorary Pallbearers will be Bill D’Andrea, Jim Atkins, , Billy Etheredge, Jim Lowman, Kenny Lucas, Dr. Robert Maddox, Bob Mahoney , Brad Parkman, Gregg Riley, Senator Nikki Setzler, the Honorable Judge William Shockley, Doug Bennett, Malachi Williams, O’Neil Wise In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Swansea United Methodist Church, The Thelma Crook and Lee Harold Witt, Sr. Scholarship Fund at Clemson University, or to the scholarship fund at Swansea High School established by Harold Witt for a deserving student athlete. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Monday at Culler-McAlhany Funeral Home in North (www.mcalhanyfuneralhome.com) and other times at the family home, 195 West Craft Street, Swansea.