Thomas William "Billy" Etheredge

Mr. Thomas William “Billy” Etheredge,80, of 395 W. Oak St, Swansea, passed away on September 25, 2014. Billy Etheredge was a lifelong resident of Swansea. He was the son of the late Sam and Valarie Etheredge. After graduating from Swansea high school, Billy attended Clemson University until joining the United States Army in 1955 serving 2 years with Detachment M stationed in Japan and Korea before returning home in 1957. Billy honorably served 28 additional years in the Reserves attaining the rank of Command Sergeant Major. He balanced his military reserve career with his job as a rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service for 37 years. Billy’s love for his country, community and others was demonstrated by his involvement in many civic organizations: Boy Scouts of America, Masonic and Shrine organizations, the Swansea Lions Club (where he served as president for 3 years), and as a 30 year volunteer with the Swansea Fire Department. In 2013 Billy was honored as the Veteran of the Year by the Jr. ROTC of Swansea High School. Billy served on the District 4 school board and was a strong advocate for education, including volunteering as a substitute teacher. Billy was a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ who gave his life to serving others through gifts of his time, his talents, friendship, and constant support. He was an active member of Swansea United Methodist Church and the Swansea Community United Methodist Men. Billy taught Sunday School, chaired fundraising events that benefitted the community, and was constantly involved in church activities and projects. Billy loved the outdoors, particularly quail and deer hunting. He was an avid fisherman. He loved gardening and got great joy from sharing the fruit of his hard work with friends and family. He was a member of the Lexington County Clemson Club. He loved attending Clemson and Swansea football games. He loved getting out and seeing people. His favorite way to spend time was supporting and watching his children and grandchildren do the things that they loved. Billy and Dot’s love for children and their desire to share their love led them to sponsor a little boy from Carolina Children’s Home. They enjoyed getting him on the weekends, taking him on family vacations, and providing things for him that he might not have had otherwise. In this same spirit, the United Methodist Men sponsor a scholarship in Billy’s honor. Billy was preceded in death by his son Lee Clinton Etheredge and is survived by his wife Dot Robinson Etheredge, daughter Lisa (Andy) Knight, daughter-in-law Debbie Etheredge, grandchildren Leah Etheredge, Cameron Knight, Andrea Knight, and Thomas Knight, and sister Sarah (M.C.) Kirkland. The family will receive friends at the Fellowship Hall of Swansea United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 27, 2014 from 2:30 – 3:30 PM. The funeral service will be at 4:00 PM in the sanctuary with Rev. Cindy Saylor and Rev. David D. McManus, Jr. officiating. Interment will be at Melrose Memorial Cemetery located on Highway 321 in Swansea, SC immediately following the service. Memorials may be made to Swansea United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 601, Swansea, SC 29160.