Obituaries

Jul 20, 2022

Gary F. Willis, 87 of Spartanburg, SC passed away peacefully at his home on July 20, 2022 at 8:20 pm, surrounded by his family.

Gary was born in Lumberton, NC on September 10, 1934 to William Marshall and Idell Williams Willis and grew up with three brothers and one sister. David, Estell, Billy and Larry.

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Jul 19, 2022

Melvin R. Hall, 78, of Spartanburg, SC, died Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at his home. Born January 14, 1944, in Memphis, TN, he was the son of the late Hammond D. Hall and Martha Garrett Hall Mulkey.

A US Army Reserve veteran, Mr. Hall was a graduate of University of Memphis where he earned a bachelor’s degree....

Jul 19, 2022

Elbert Lacon Ryan III, 77, of Spartanburg, SC, died Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at his home. Born July 31, 1944, in Spartanburg, SC, he was the son of the late Elbert Lacon Ryan Jr. and Amelia Victoria Miller Ryan.

Mr. Ryan attended Spartanburg Technical College and Clemson University. A 10-year veteran of the US Navy and later...

Jul 17, 2022

Monte Ballard Reaves, 83, of Spartanburg, SC died Sunday, July 17, 2022, at her home. Born July 8, 1939, in Gaffney, SC, she was a daughter of the late Robert Flemmons and Drucilla West Ballard, and was the wife of the late James Alfred “Tommy” Reaves for 41 years.

A 1957 Spartanburg High School graduate, Monte was...

Jul 17, 2022

Eddie James Lee, Sr., 69, of Spartanburg, SC died Sunday, July 17, 2022, at Spartanburg Medical Center. Born January 25, 1953, in Spartanburg County, SC, he was the son of the late Willie Lee Jr. and Peggy Sue Byars Lee Grainger and the husband of the late Paula Remi Paris Lee.

Eddie was retired from Blackman Uhler....

Jul 17, 2022

Clarence M. Crews, Jr, 78, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 17, 2022. Mr. Crews was born on October 10, 1943, in Yatesville, GA, he was the son of the late Clarence Mallory Crews and Etta Carreker Crews. He grew up in Georgia, graduating from Columbus High School and the University of Georgia, then he moved to Spartanburg, SC...

Jul 16, 2022

Our sweet mother, Jean R. Phillips of White Oak Estates, passed away on July 16, 2022, with her daughters by her side. She is now reunited with her loving husband, Robert V. “Bob” Phillips who called her his “Jeannie.” She is survived by her daughters, Kim Phillips Gladden (Billy) of Rock Hill, SC and Rhonda Phillips Collins (Joel) of...

Jul 16, 2022

David Lee Walker, 72, of Spartanburg, SC, died Saturday, July 16, 2022 at Skylyn Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Born October 8, 1949 in Spartanburg, SC, he was the son of the late Anderson Leroy Walker.

David was retired from Arrow Automotive. He was also a blacksmith and welder. His hobbies were trains, model cars, playing his guitar...

Jul 15, 2022

Mrs. Marian McConnell Norman, 79, of Spartanburg, SC, died Friday, July 15, 2022, at her home. Born December 30, 1942, in Charlotte, NC, she was the daughter of Merlin Kelly and Helen Craven McConnell.

Growing up in Cornelius, NC, Marian attended N. Mecklenburg High School where she met the love of her life and future husband of...

Jul 14, 2022

William “Bill” John Copses was born 25 March 1934 in Karyes, (“Arahova”) Lakonia, Greece to John and Trisevyeni Kopsiaftis (Copses). He immigrated to Canada in 1951 and became a pastry chef while working at his uncle’s restaurant. On a visit to Greece in 1958, he met and married, Stavroula (“Loula”) Kiousis in Sparti with whom he had three children....

Jul 14, 2022

Essie L. Harper, 88, of Spartanburg, SC died Thursday, July 14, 2022 at Spartanburg Hospital for Restorative Care. Born October 3, 1933 in Fayetteville, NC, she was the daughter of the late Horace Landrum and Ruth Charlotte Waddell Blanton and was the wife of the late Edward F. Harper.

Essie was retired from J.C. Penney Co. after...

Jul 14, 2022

Sandi Owens Blanchard, 67, of Woodruff, SC, died Thursday, July 14, 2022 at Brookstone Terrace of Woodruff Assisted Living. Born August 28, 1954 in Union, SC, she was the daughter of the late Clyde Thomas and Vivian Louise Burgess Owens.

Sandi was formerly employed with South Carolina National Bank and Hanover Title Agency/David Ingles, Attorney-at-Law. She was...

Jul 14, 2022

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...

Jul 13, 2022

Andrea Leigh Fowler Carper, 51, of Spartanburg, SC, died Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at her home. Born May 29, 1971, in Spartanburg, SC, she was the daughter of the late Reginald J. Fowler, Sr. and was the wife of the late Spartanburg County Sheriff Deputy Kevin E. Carper.

Andrea was a graduate of Dorman High School and...

Jul 13, 2022

Raymond Wesley Kelly, 71, husband of Dale Laflin Kelly, died July 13, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer. Born July 16, 1950 in Washington, DC to the late Cecil R. and Agnes Schaefer Kelly, he was retired from Tietex International.

Ray had a passion for music of almost all genres, but mostly rock. You’d be hard...

Jul 13, 2022

Ronald Lee Asselin, 74, of Inman, SC died Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at Regency Hospital of Greenville. Born October 17, 1947, in Denver, Colorado, he was the son of the late Elgin Layton and Cecelia Mary Corl Asselin.

A US Army veteran of the Vietnam War, Mr. Asselin was formerly employed with Southern Railway (Norfolk-Southern Railway) and...

Jul 13, 2022

Doris Liles McPherson, 90, of Spartanburg, SC died Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Born March 4, 1932 in Cannons Campground Community of Spartanburg, SC, she was the daughter of the late Thomas William and Mamie Lucille Arthur Liles and was the wife of the late N. B. McPherson, Jr.

Doris was retired from Draper Corporation. She was a...

Jul 12, 2022

Amy Blanton Pope (84) passed away peacefully on July 12, 2022 surrounded by her beloved husband and children. Amy was born in Cherokee County. It was nearby, while she was tap dancing in a talent show at Clifton Elementary, that Charles Terry Pope first saw Amy. It was love at first sight. Amy and Terry were a team and...

Jul 12, 2022

Billy Fidel Stepp, 80, of Inman, SC died Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at Upstate Community Hospice House in Landrum, SC. Born May 15, 1942 in Spartanburg County, he was the son of the late Sam and Ossie White Stepp.

Billy was a retired truck driver. He was a member of Gateway Baptist Church.

Survivors include...

Jul 11, 2022

Angela Willes, 85, died Monday, July 11, 2022, at Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home.  Born April 8, 1937, in Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, England, she was a daughter of the late George Arthur and Edith Josephine Strong Willes.

Ms. Willes was retired from Milliken and Company after 39 years, where she served as an Audio-Visual Technician, and later...