James Ivey

James William Ivey, 91, died Monday, February 22, 2016, at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Born in Spartanburg on August 22, 1924, he was blessed to be the beloved husband of Erin Easler Ivey for 71 years. Mr. Ivey graduated from Spartanburg High School. A World War II veteran of the US Army Air Corps, he was a bombardier-navigator instructor for the war years, and was stationed at various training bases primarily in the western part of the country. After World War II, Mr. Ivey graduated from Clemson University in the Class of 1948, where he majored in Electrical Engineering. He then returned to Spartanburg to start his professional career. In 1959, Mr. Ivey established Ivey Electric Company, an electrical contracting business, which played a significant role in the construction business across the Southeast at a time when business and industry were rapidly developing. More than just designing complex systems and building major facilities, he was also an artist in lighting, both interior and exterior with the objective of improving the environment in which people lived, worked, and played. Mr. Ivey was also committed to installing and enhancing illumination in many houses of worship in Spartanburg. He valued his employees, business colleagues, and customers. Most of all, he enjoyed building an admired and well-respected business over the years along with his wife, Erin. Mr. Ivey loved to travel widely with his family and especially enjoyed his annual summer vacations at Pawleys Island, South Carolina. At home, he spent weekends tending to his boxwoods. Many passersby marveled at his acrobatic high ladder pruning of hollies, hedges, and ornamental trees at his home along Woodburn Road. Mr. Ivey will be remembered for his expressions of gratitude, wise counsel, and generous spirit. Survivors include his wife, Erin Easler Ivey, their daughter, Alanna Ivey Wildman, her spouse, Don Wildman, and grandson Reid Wildman. He is also survived by his brothers, Cham Ivey and John Ivey, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Benjamin Franklin Ivey and Pearl Cooksey Ivey, as well as his sisters Marlene Ivey Stephens and Evelyn Ivey Sprouse, and a brother, Everette D. Ivey. A memorial service will be conducted at 3:00 PM Friday, February 26, 2016, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 309 Fernwood Drive, Spartanburg, South Carolina, by the Rev. Dr. Paul Petersen and the Rev. Charles Horne. Visitation will follow the service in the Fellowship Hall. Private burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. The family wishes to express its thanks for the care and support of Comfort Keepers sitters. Memorials may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 104 Pineville Road, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29307, The Spartanburg County Foundation, 424 East Kennedy Street, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29302, and Hatcher Garden & Woodland Preserve, 832 John B. White Sr. Blvd., Spartanburg, South Carolina 29306. The family is at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Alanna and Don Wildman. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of James William Ivey please visit our Sympathy Store.