W. Keith Parris

William Keith Parris passed away on September 15, 2024. A native of Spartanburg County, he was born on November 27, 1933. He was the husband of Louise Mullins Parris and the son of the late James Archie and Mary Pratt Scruggs Parris. He was first married to the late Katherine "Kay" Killingsworth Parris.

Keith was a graduate of Wofford College. He served in the US Army with the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He earned his master’s and six-year degrees in School Administration from Furman University. Keith was a retired school administrator. He served as a teacher, coach, principal, and district administrator including superintendent. He retired as Executive Director of the Spartanburg County Board of Education. 

Keith was an active member of Central United Methodist Church Spartanburg. He was a member of the Civitan Club of Spartanburg, serving as treasurer, president, and director. He held positions on the boards of several organizations including the Spartanburg County Health Department where he served for approximately 30 years. Along with the late Jim Barrett, he organized and started the Spartanburg County Citizen-Scholar program. He was also active in the Elementary Commission of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools at both the State and Regional levels. 

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Kevin Parris; a step-daughter, Lynn (James) Karegeannes; and a step-son, William “Bill” Weekes. His grandchildren are Katherine "Katie" Parris, Sarah Parris, Grace Karegeannes, John “Jack” Karegeannes, and AnnaKate Weekes. He is also survived by nieces and nephews Judie (John) Hamilton, Pattie (Scott) Hines, Jay Parris, Tim Parris, Perry Parris, Ralph Shealy, Jamie Shealy, Dibbie Shealy, and Elizabeth Turner. 

In addition to his parents and first wife, he was predeceased by brothers, James Ansel, Bobby Joe, Hugh Glenn, and Ronald Yates Parris, and daughter-in-law, Melissa Parris. 

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, September 28, 2024, at Central United Methodist Church, 233 North Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306, conducted by the Rev. Cameron Treece. The family will receive friends in the Central UMC fellowship hall following the service. 

Memorials may be made to the W. Keith Parris Scholarship Fund #2372, https://godonate.akoyago.com/spcf/fund/wkeithparris c/o Spartanburg County Foundation, 424 Kennedy Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306 or to Central United Methodist Church, 2133 North Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306. 

An online guest register is available at www.floydmortuary.com 

Floyd’s North Church Street.