Rev. Arthur

The Rev. Dr. William LaClair Arthur, 75, of Greenville, SC, beloved Presbyterian pastor, died Friday, October 24, 2014, following a two-year battle with cancer. Born May 5, 1939, in Uniontown, PA, he was the son of the late Byron Blake and Mary Stewart Arthur. Dr. Arthur was educated at West Virginia University, Andover Newton Theological School in Boston, MA and Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA. His ministry carried him extensively throughout the east and southeastern United States as he served congregations from Pennsylvania to Alabama. Active in religious and community life, he chaired the board of trustees at Davis & Elkins College (Elkins, WV), served on the board of trustees of The Alban Institute (Washington, DC), and was appointed by Governor Richard Riley as a member of the South Carolina Juvenile Parole Board. In over 40 years he chaired or served on Advisory Boards of The Salvation Army in West Virginia, Virginia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia. After reunion of the northern and southern Presbyterian churches in the mid 1980's, Bill served for six years on the first General Assembly Council of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Recently, he served as a member of the board of the Greenville Chautauqua, where nationally acclaimed interpreters take the audience on an astonishing journey into the past. Bill delighted in serving as moderator for its annual History Alive Festival held at the Spartanburg Public Library each summer. For more than a decade, he has been intimately involved with his beloved First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg, SC, where he served first as Interim Senior Pastor, then Pastoral Associate. During his tenure there, he established a reading discussion group known as "Bill's Book Club", of which he enjoyed boasting that it is "the largest church-related book club east of the Mississippi." Folks from all walks of life and all denominations joined together for enlightenment, fellowship, and open discussions. Bill loved his family and friends, especially sharing family and personal stories and experiences with them. Bill was passionate about music, loved an evening of good food and conversation, enjoyed traveling, and always had a book in his hand. Proud to be a descendant of Revolutionary War soldier Cornelius Carhart, Bill was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. He also took great joy in being of Welsh heritage and planned Gymanfu Ganu (heritage and singing festival) celebrations at several churches he served. As a 32nd degree Mason, Bill was a member of Westhampton Lodge No. 302 in Richmond, VA. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Dr. Marcus S. Arthur. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Susanne Gabriel Arthur, his daughter, Amy Elizabeth Schaible (Mrs. Maynard), Greenville, SC, and son, William David Arthur, Columbia, SC; his son-in-law, Maynard "Chip" Schaible; and his daughter-in-law, Shannon Surratt Arthur; and five grandchildren: Mary Elizabeth Schaible, Sarah Margaret Schaible, William Maynard Schaible, Carys Lleulu Arthur, and Greenlee Elizabeth Arthur. His business associate and colleague, Derek D. Alley, with whom he established a non-profit consulting firm, Arthur Alley Associated, also survives him. Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 PM Thursday, October 30, 2014, at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29307. Visitation for out of town friends only, will be 9:30-10:45 AM Saturday, November 1, 2014, in the Parlor of First Presbyterian Church. A service of Witness to the Resurrection - a celebration of abundant and eternal life - will be held in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 393 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29302, at 11:00 AM Saturday, November 1, 2014, with The Rev. Dr. Thomas E. Evans, The Rev. Joanne R. Hull, The Rev. L. Craig Foster, The Rev. Christi O. Brown, The Rev. Dr. George G. Wilkes III, and The Rev. Robert M. Brearley. The service of committal and inurnment will follow in the First Presbyterian Church Columbarium. Honorary escort will be the Pastors of the Foothills Presbytery and Pastors of the Great Preaching Seminar, which was organized by Dr. Arthur over 25 years ago. No flowers please. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Memorial Fund of the First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg, 393 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29302. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Rev. Dr. William LaClair Arthur please visit our Sympathy Store.