David Cecil

David William "Bill" Cecil died Sunday, April 17, 2011 at Spartanburg Regional Hospital at the age of 90. He was born March 1, 1921 in Spartanburg, SC, the tenth of twelve children, to the late Philip Schuyler and Abigail May White Cecil. He is survived by his best friend and devoted wife of 70 years, Bessie Seay Cecil. They were married January 4, 1941 in Gaffney, SC. Bill was a product of the Spartanburg City schools, attended Clemson College and Wofford College. At the outbreak of World War II, he worked with the Curtis Wright Aircraft Factory in St. Louis, Missouri, making fighter aircraft prior to joining the U.S. Navy in 1944. Following the war, he returned to Spartanburg where he opened his architecture and engineering practice, designing several of Spartanburg's landmark buildings including the Schuyler Apartment Building, City Hall, and the Main Post Office. Bill was one of the first in South Carolina to hold licenses in both architecture and engineering. In addition, Bill was an enthusiastic entrepreneur, bringing to Spartanburg one of its first malls, the Pinewood Shopping Center. He was a founding partner and first president of White Oak Manor, Inc., which operates several retirement and nursing facilities in North and South Carolina. He later founded and was president of Health Care Corporation, which operates assisted living facilities and nursing homes in South Carolina. He was an avid golfer and a past president of the Country Club of Spartanburg. He was a devoted follower and supporter of Clemson athletics, attending football, basketball, and baseball games as long as his health permitted. He served on the Board of Visitors at Clemson University. Bill was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg. For Bill and Bess, their lives centered around their family and there was never a more devoted Papa. Time with family at Pawley's Island was cherished by all. Bill was predeceased by seven sisters and four brothers, as well as his beloved daughter, Gay Cecil Frick. In addition to his loving wife, he is survived by three sons, David William Cecil, II and wife, Anne; Charles Campbell Cecil and wife, Suzanne; Robert Cooper Cecil and wife, Holly, all of Spartanburg; a daughter, Merry Anne Cecil Gaddy and husband Clay of Summerville, SC and a son-in-law, Kenneth Edwin Frick and wife, Jeanie, also of Spartanburg. He was blessed with fifteen grandchildren who adored him: Neal Cecil Karn (Trey), David William "Billy" Cecil, III (Mary Catherine), Christopher Tennent Cecil, (Lindsey); Meredyth Cecil Gaddy, Caroline Gaddy Clum (Allan), Merry Bess Gaddy, Clayton Gaddy Coffey (Scott); Jamelia "Jamie" Frick Stacy (Alex), John Edwin Frick (Sarah), Jean Cecil Frick; Charles Campbell "Cambo" Cecil, II, Michael Payne Cecil, Philip Duncan Cecil; Robert Calum Cecil and Holly Katherine "Katie" Cecil; and eleven loving great-grandchildren: Catherine Schuyler Karn, Anne Hamilton Karn, Harriette Keyes "Hattie" Karn; Ann Bethea "Annie" Cecil, David William "Will" Cecil, IV; James Christopher Cecil; Abigail Holland Clum, Margaret Anne Clum, Olivia Rose Clum; Robert Edwin "Win" Stacy, Hampton James Stacy. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 PM Monday, April 18, 2011 at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel. A celebration of Bill's life will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at First Presbyterian Church, conducted by the Rev. Dr. David A. Renwick and Rev. Laura E. Palmer. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Billy Cecil, Christopher Cecil, John Frick, Cambo Cecil, Michael Cecil, Duncan Cecil, Calum Cecil, Trey Karn, Allan Clum, Scott Coffey, and Alex Stacy. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church's Building Fund, c/o the Abercrombie Fund, 393 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302; or to the Spartanburg County Foundation, c/o Gay Cecil Frick Cholangiocarcinoma Research Fund, 424 East Kennedy Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302. Special appreciation is extended by the family to caregivers Mary Hill and Juanita Corbett for their loving care and attention. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of David "Bill" William Cecil please visit our Sympathy Store.