William Lever

William Boldridge Lever, 92, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, died July 14, 2022. Mr. Lever was born May 20, 1930 in Spartanburg, South Carolina on the campus of what is now Spartanburg Methodist College, but in 1930 was named the Textile Industrial Institute (TII). He was the son of the late Reverend Waldo Madison Lever and Marietta Boldridge Lever. Reverend Lever was the minister of TII in 1930 and taught religion to the students. In addition to his salary, Reverend Lever was given a house in which he and his family lived. In the 1930’s, most babies were born at home, and this was true for the Levers. Many years later Briles Madison Lever, the Reverend and Mrs. Lever’s grandson, taught at Spartanburg Methodist College. This relationship was interesting to people who liked to study the history of the College. Mr. Lever graduated from Lancaster High School and Furman University. Shortly after graduating from Furman, he joined the National Security Office of the United States Army.

Mr. Lever was a Counselor for South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation for 30 years. He began his career working out of the Spartanburg office as a field Counselor, covering many areas including Gaffney, and Cherokee County. He quickly established himself as one of the most productive and successful Counselors in the State. He is listed in The National Distinguished Service Registry – Medical and Vocational Rehabilitation – 1987.

During this time, his dedication and tireless work laid the foundation for many new programs that we bought to the region. He single-handedly established the first Vocational Rehabilitation office in Gaffney. South Carolina. The original office was just he and one secretary. After years of work, his office grew into a full Vocational Rehabilitation office and workshop in Gaffney, South Carolina.

He was the brother of Chauncey Waldo Lever. He is survived by a daughter, Mary Jane Lever Goodwin and her husband, Chris, of Anderson, South Carolina, a son, Briles Lever of Spartanburg, South Carolina, and a grandson, Thomas Goodwin of Anderson, South Carolina. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joe Ann Shearer Lever. Mrs. Lever was Dean Emerita of the College of Arts and Sciences and associate professor emerita of biology at Converse College.

Mr. Lever was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church.

Visitation will be 12:30 – 1:30 pm Sunday, July 17, 2022 at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 E. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29307. Funeral Service will be at 2:00 pm at the chapel, conducted by The Rev. Michelle Dellinger Cockcroft. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Joe Ann Shearer Lever Fund for the College of Arts and Sciences, in memory of William B. Lever, Converse University, 580 E. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302.

Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel