William Ridings

William Ray Ridings, 82, of Spartanburg, died Thursday, September 6, 2012, at Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home. Born September 21, 1929 in Inman, SC, he was the son of the late Wiley Judson and Tempie Burgess Ridings. A 1951 graduate of Wofford College, he retired from Milliken and Company after 39 years of service, including a 4-year assignment with Milliken Europe, with his last assignment as Business Manager of Milliken Packaging. He was a U. S. Army veteran where he served as Second Lieutenant in the European Area and completed his military career as a Major in the Army Reserves. Mr. Ridings was a graduate of the Command and General Staff College and was member of Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), former member of Spartanburg Area Mental Health Board, Spartanburg Sertoma Club, East Spartanburg Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow, and Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity. He enjoyed his membership at both the Spartanburg Country Club and the Piedmont Club. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he was the Tape Minister for many years. His favorite time of year was Wofford College Homecoming, spending time with his classmates and fraternity brothers. An avid reader of books and was a longtime volunteer driver with Mobile Meals. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Betty Jean Angel Ridings; sisters, Hazel Wingo and husband Bryant and Emily Morrow, all of Inman; brothers, Wiley Hoyle Ridings of Inman and Nathan Carroll Ridings and wife Joyce of Savannah, GA; and many loving nephews and nieces. Visitation will be 4:00-6:00 PM Sunday, September 9, 2012 at the home. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, September 10, 2012 in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, conducted by the Rev. Laura Palmer and Eulogy by Mr. Stephen Mitchell. Honorary Escort will be Joseph Bouren, Bob Hammett, Mike Wingo, Ralph Gillespie, William Mitchell, Ted Hammett, Bob Miller, Earl Smart, and Rick Hammond. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mobile Meals, PO Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304; or Mayo Clinic for Cancer Research, 200 S.W. First Street, Rochester MN 55905. The family is at the home. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of William Ray Ridings please visit our Sympathy Store.