William Hope Jr.

William T. "Bill" Hope, Jr. went to be with the Lord on Friday, July 21, 2017. As Bill was fond of saying, he was born on a frosty full morning on October 7, 1924, on the banks of the Fairforest Creek, Spartanburg County, to William T. Hope, Sr. and Clytie B. Bradley. He graduated from Fairforest High School in 1942. He left Wofford College his freshman year to join the Army Air Corps. He received his wings and commission May 8, 1944 in Eagle Pass, TX. He served as a fighter pilot in the E.T.O. (European Theater of Operations). After leaving the service on December 1, 1945, he became a flight instructor for Buck Moss at the Fairforest Airport from 1946 until 1948. He retired from Spartan Petroleum Company as General Sales Manager after 40 years in 1989. Bill served as Commander of the Warbirds of South Carolina for 11 years retiring in 2000. He continued flying until eyesight brought an end to his flying career in 2001. He was selected Aviator of the Year in 1989. He was predeceased in death by his parents and brothers Glenn Hope, Bob Hope, and Jim Hope. He is survived by sisters Betty Parham, Linda Nichols, and Pam Lavender. He was first married to the late Shirley Ann Pennington. They had a son, William P. "Joe" Hope, and daughter, Melody Hope Parker. He married Jeanette Barnette in 1961 and they had no children. Bill is survived by his dear wife of 57 years, Jeanette Barnette; son, William P. "Joe" Hope of Spartanburg; grandchildren, Denise Blackwell (Lee) of Inman, and Jodie Swann (Brett) of Boiling Springs; five great grandchildren, Hope Blackwell and Bryce Blackwell of Inman, Tucker Swann, Grady Swann and Jace Swann of Boiling Springs; daughter, Melody Parker (Billy) of Inman, SC, and step grandson, Will Parker (Andy) of New York, NY. Cryptside service will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, July 26, 2017 in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Heritage Chapel Mausoleum, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307, conducted by the Rev. Todd Lowe and the Rev. Jim Jackson. Visitation will follow after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cedar Spring Baptist Church, 140 Cedar Springs Place, Spartanburg, SC 29302. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of William "Bill" Hope Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store.