Longtime Presbyterian College trustee Pierce Merry Jr. passed away on Jan. 24, 2008, in Augusta, Ga. He was 83. Born on Sept. 24, 1924, Merry was a trustee emeritus, having served the college in many capacities. In addition to serving on the Board of Trustees and Board of Visitors, the Augusta native served on the physical plant committee, the science planning committee, and the PC campaign executive committee. In 2003, he became an honorary alumnus. “Mr. Merry was a Christian gentleman who had a high standard of quality and a strong commitment to Presbyterian College,” Morris Galloway said. “He was generous with his time and was always alert for ways to make the campus facilities better.” Merry graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Skilled in construction, he was chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Merry Companies, Inc., which later became Boral Bricks, Inc. Merry shared his expertise in masonry and business by serving on many boards, including the advisory board of directors of Sun Trust bank, the board of directors of the Brick Institute of America, and the advisory committee for the School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech. He also served as president for many charities and businesses, including the United Way of the CSRA, the Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce, and region nine of the Brick Institute of America. Merry is a retired elder and trustee of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Augusta, Ga. He is survived by his daughters, Cathy M. Williams and husband Pete, Vicki M. Shapiro and husband Donald, Sherrod M. Lamkin and husband Boswell, Leigh M. Cupp ’80 and husband Philip, all of Augusta, seven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Granddaughter Leigh Ann Cupp is a member of PC's class of 2010.

The Rev. Bonneau H. Dickson Sr. ’30 of Pickens, S.C., died July 13, 2007, at the age of 99.

He graduated from Columbia Theological Seminary at the head of his class and received the Wilds Book Prize, awarded to the highest student in academic work over the entire seminary program. In 1933, he was ordained as a Presbyterian minister by the Presbytery of Charleston, S.C. He began his ministry at New Wappetaw Presbyterian Church in McLellanville, S.C. He served as Chapels Minister of Independent Presbyterian Church of Savannah, Ga., from 1935-1942. In the early days of World War II, he came to Atlanta, Ga., where he served as pastor of Rock Springs Presbyterian Church for fourteen years.

He was awarded a doctor of divinity degree by PC in 1956. He served as executive secretary of church extension for Atlanta Presbytery from 1956-1960 and then as executive secretary for the presbytery until his retirement in 1973.

In 1981. he joined the development and public relations staff at Columbia Theological Seminary. The seminary placed Rev. Dickson on its Founders List and honored him with the Alumni Distinguished Service award in 1992.

Mary Workman Shuler ’35 of Holly Hill, S.C., died Dec. 10, 2007, at the age of 92.

Born in Clinton, S.C., she was a dedicated teacher for 31 years, having taught at Dunbarton High School from 1935- 39 and at Providence Elementary School from 1951- 78. She served as principal of Providence Elementary from 1971-78.

She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, an honorary society for women educators. She served on the Orangeburg County School District III board of trustees. She was also a member of the Providence United Methodist Church, where she served as president of United Methodist Women, taught Sunday school, and held offices on the administrative board.

Virgil Washington St. John ’39 of Virginia Beach, Va., died July 8, 2007, at the age of 90.

He served in the United States Naval Reserve from 1941 to 1945. He was employed by Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation from 1948 until his retirement in 1978. He served his community in a number of ways, including as president of the Beachcombers Kiwanis Club and as a deacon of the First Baptist Church of Virginia Beach.

Marvin Reynolds Griffin ’40 of Greenwood, S.C., died Nov. 27, 2007, at the age of 90.

Born in Spartanburg County, he was a U.S. Air Force veteran, having served during World War II.

He joined Greenwood Mills in 1940 and became assistant director of cotton procurement in 1950.  He later served as vice president of Greenwood Cotton Co. in Little Rock, Ark., vice president of Greenwood Warehouse, Inc., and director of Greenville Cotton Exchange. He was also a past president of the S.C. Cotton Buyers Association and a former director of Southern Compress in Pine Bluff, Ark. He retired as assistant vice president of Greenwood Mills.

He was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church in Greenwood.

William “Bill” Bernard Henderson ’41 of Laurens, S.C., died June 20, 2007, at the age of 87.

Born in Waterloo, S.C., he was the owner of Bill Henderson Motors for 42 years. He was also a member of First United Methodist Church. 

Lloyd R. Evans ’42, of Roswell, Ga., died Sept. 17, 2007, at the age of 87.

A member of the “Greatest Generation,” he fought in World War II and the Korean War. He served in the Army for 28 years. Following his military service he worked as the golf course manager at Ohio State University for 15 years.

Sidney Otto Mathis Jr. ’42 of Marion, S.C., died Dec. 14, 2007 at the age of 86.

Born in Darlington, S.C., he was a veteran of World War II, serving in North Africa and the European Theatre. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Silver Star, and Purple Heart. After the war he served in the S.C. National Guard until his retirement as a lieutenant colonel.

He also served on the Marion District One School Board for 24 years and was chairman for 12 years. He was also a former president of the S.C. School Board Association. He retired as a construction consultant.

Thomas Huey Wilson Sr. ’42 of Rockingham, N.C., died Sept. 22, 2007, at the age of 86.

Born in Chesterfield, S.C., he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army during World War II. Following his military service, he was employed by the Hardware Association of the Carolinas, where he traveled throughout the region. He later assumed ownership of Rockingham Hardware store.

He was a member of the Civitans, where he served as secretary for a year. He was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he served as a ruling elder and for several years as clerk of the session.

David Hamilton Martin ’43 of Raleigh, N.C., died Dec. 12, 2007, at the age of 85.

Born in Easley, S.C., he studied physics and graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a master’s degree in math. He served in the U.S. Army in the Philippines during World War II. Following his military service, he taught physics at N.C. State University for 26 years.

An environmentalist, artist, and physicist, he was a past president of the Conservation Council of North Carolina. He was a longtime member of the Raleigh Artists’ Guild and specialized in Chinese watercolor techniques.

William “Bill” Culp Sr. ‘43 of Rock Hill, S.C., died Sept. 29, 2007, at the age of 87.

He served in World War II and retired as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. He served Winthrop University for 50 years, first as a physical plant director and later as assistant vice-president for campus renovations and special projects. The Culp Chiller Plant at Winthrop was named for him in 1997.

He was a member of the Rotary Club of Rock Hill and, in 1984, he received the highest award a Rotarian can receive, the Paul Harris Fellow award for community achievement. He was also on the YMCA Board of Directors, a volunteer cooperative weather observer for the National Weather Service, a Boy Scout leader, and a senior elder at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church. As a member of the S.C. Football Officials Association, he traveled across the state for almost 50 years refereeing high school football games.

Dr. G. C. “Tom” Nabors ('43) died of congestive  heart failure on January 28, 2008. He was a native of Clinton, South Carolina and one of the eleven children of Grover C. and Mattie Adair Nabors. He was born 22 September 1922 and was educated in the public schools of Clinton, South Carolina and received a B.S. Degree in Chemistry from Presbyterian College of Clinton, S..C. in 1943. He was a member of the Theta Chi social fraternity. He earned an M. D. Degree from the Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University of Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 1946 and was a member Phi Chi medical fraternity. He served an internship at the U. S. Naval Hospital at Mare Island, Ca. During World War II he served with the Medical Corps of the United States Navy. In 1951 he moved to Dallas to take a residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at Parkland Hospital. In 1954 he entered private practice of his specialty in Dallas and practiced primarily at St. Paul Medical Center where he became Chief of Obstetrics & Gynecology. He was a member of local, state, and national medical societies appropriate for a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology and in addition he was a member of the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy.

He was a charter member of the Southwest Gynecologic Assembly and in 1983 was president of that group. Dr. Nabors was a pioneer in the movement of "Natural Childbirth" and instigated the first program to have fathers in the delivery room at St. Paul Medical Center. He was a founding member and on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians. His local efforts opposing abortion merited him the Connie Award from the Birthright of Dallas, Inc. for 1978-79. He was a member of the Serra Club and was a founding member and charter president of the Walnut Hill Optimist Club. Following his retirement from medicine, he studied Art History at Southern Methodist University and became a volunteer docent at the Dallas Museum of Art. He was a certified and master Graphoanalyst and for over 30 years pursued a secondary career in Questioned Document Examination and testified in the courts of Oklahoma and Texas. Dr.Nabors published in the medical journals of his day, and medical articles for the laity in CHILD AND FAMILY magazine. He also published 3 volumes of the history of the Nabors family. In 1948, he married Constance Switzer of Weston, W. Va. He is survived by her and their four children: Mary Cook and Bob Blanshard, Amy & Russ Ross, Dr. Tom and Sarah Nabors, and Bill and LeAnn Nabors; six grandchildren:  Robert Blanshard, Emily Garrigan, and Claire Webb; Andrew Ross;  Lee Nabors & Dan Nabors; and three great-grand children: Cameron and Lily Garrigan and Jack Webb. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Carson and Gladys Nabors of Clinton, SC and his brother and sister-in-law, The Rev. Drs. Oran and Charlotte Nabors of Denton, TX. The rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday January 30 at Christ the King  Catholic Church and a requiem Mass will be celebrated also at Christ the King on Thursday January 31 at 10:00.

George B. Humphries ’44 of Johnston, S.C., died Aug. 10, 2007, at the age of 84.

Born in Walhalla, S.C., he was a Navy veteran, having served in World War II. He is the past owner of Maxwell and Halford Drug store in Johnston and was a member of Our Savior Episcopal Church.

Dr. George Richard Wilkinson, Jr. '45
Dr. George R. Wilkinson, Jr., a lifelong resident of Greenville, S.C., and Cedar Mountain, N.C., died Wednesday, March 19, 2008. He was born February 11, 1924, the son of parents Mary Lydia McAllister Wilkinson, formerly of Covington, Va., and Dr. George R. Wilkinson, Sr. of Greenville, S.C.

Dr. Wilkinson dearly loved the people of the mountains of South Carolina, was a devoted physician to his patients, an avid reader, loyal alumnus to The McCallie School, Presbyterian College, and Johns Hopkins University, and fiercely dedicated to his wife, children, grandchildren, and his animals.

Dr. Wilkinson was genuinely interested in every person of every age that he met. He was truly loved by his friends, his children’s friends, his wife’s friends, his fraternity, and those whom he employed. He had a special charm that made those big and little feel uniquely important. He never met a stranger.

Dr. Wilkinson was the last surviving physician in the Wilkinson medical family, which began with his grandfather, Dr. James R. Wilkinson (1863-1935), who came to Greenville in 1888. He married the late Annie Barr Wilkinson and continued practicing medicine in Soochow, China, as a medical missionary at the Elizabeth Blake Hospital. He later built his own hospital in 1919, where he worked until his death in 1935. He was buried in Soochow, China.

Dr. Wilkinson's own father, Dr. George R. Wilkinson, Sr., the first internist in South Carolina and President of the South Carolina Medical Board, practiced medicine from 1920 to 1964, as well as his great-uncle, Dr. Henry Brookwood Wilkinson (1870-1948) who served in the Army Medical Corps. from 1898 to 1930 and spent his final years in Montgomery, Alabama. And an uncle, Dr. Louis Barr Wilkinson, (1900-1975) who practiced surgery in Shanghai, China, Rutherfordton, N.C., and for 25 years in High Point, N.C.

Dr. George R. Wilkinson, Jr. attended 1930-1936 Haynes School, North Main Street Park School, John's Street School, 1941 graduate of The McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN. 1941-1943 Davidson College, 1945 Graduated Presbyterian College, where he was Student Body President, president of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, and president of the Inter-fraternity Council. He did graduate studies at University of Georgia and in 1949 graduated John Hopkins University School of Medicine at the top of his class.

1949-1951 internship & residency The Foss Clinic at Gersinger Hospital Danville, Penn., 1951-1954 3 year fellowship at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, with a BS degree in Medicine from the University of Minnesota; 1955-1956 Chief of Department of Medicine for United States Army, Camp Leroy Johnson, New Orleans, La. In 1956, Dr. Wilkinson joined his father, Dr. George R. Wilkinson, Sr., in private practice at the Wilkinson Clinic, Greenville, S.C. In 1990, Dr. Wilkinson was appointed head Internist at the Veterans Administration Clinic, Augusta Rd, Greenville, SC, until his retirement in 1998.

Dr. George Wilkinson was a member of Fourth Presbyterian Church and Faith Memorial Chapel, The Cotillion Club, The Poinsett Club, Greenville Country Club, South Carolina Historic Society, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Greenville County Medical Society, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, and Retired Physicians Tuesday Morning Breakfast Group. He served as chairman for several years of Table Rock Laboratories, Chairman of Board of Covington Grocery, Covington, Virginia. He was a member of the Internal Medical Staff of the Greenville Memorial Hospital, South Carolina Medical Association, American Medical Association, and a Diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine. In 1995, Dr. Wilkinson fulfilled a lifelong dream and found the hospital his grandfather built in Soochow, China, now called Suzhou, and was appointed a director of that hospital. He and his wife, Millie, owned and operated Tall Pines Farm, Cleveland, South Carolina, and bred Angus Beef Cattle and American Saddlebred Horses, one of which won the World Championships in 1979, named Winged Solo.

Survived by his wife, Mildred Roper Wilkinson of 63 years. His five children: daughter, Richie Roper Wilkinson Bologni and her husband, John Louis Bologni, of Walnut Creek, Calif.; sons, George Richard Wilkinson, III of Marietta, S.C., and William McAllister Wilkinson of Greenville, S.C.; daughters, MaryEllen Wilkinson of Travelers Rest, S.C., and Milicent Anne Wilkinson of Brevard, N.C.

His 10 grandchildren, John Fabio Richard Bologni of Walnut Creek, Calif., George Richard Wilkinson, IV of Covington, Va., Thomas Albert Goode of Tuscaloosa, Ala., Mary Lydia Wilkinson Fisher of Tryon, N.C., William McAllister Wilkinson, III of Greenville, S.C., Anne Busche Wilkinson of Beaufort, S.C., Hayley Wilkinson Whatley of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., Max Edwin Whatley of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Holly Roper Whatley of Greenville, S.C., and Virginia Anne Hunt of Brevard, N.C. One great-grandchild, Mary McAllister Fisher.

Honorary Pallbearers: Greenville County Medical Society Physicians and the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Beta Chapter of Presbyterian College, Clinton, South Carolina.

A Memorial Service will be Friday, March 21, 2008, at 4 p.m. at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 703 East Washington Street, Greenville, SC 29601

Family will be receiving friends immediately following the memorial service in the church fellowship hall. Private committal service to precede memorial service.

Family wishes to omit flowers. Memorials may be made to:
Thornwell Home, c/o Bill Tiller, P.O. Box 60, Clinton, SC 29325 or ph: 864-938-2715 www.thornwell.org

or Presbyterian College, c/o Advancement Office, 503 South Broad Street, Clinton, SC 29325 ph: 800-476-7272 www.presby.edu/giving

Please share your stories about Dr. George with family by e-mail to maryellen@eratopgunsrealty.com

To sign the guest book online, please go to www.mackeymortuary.com

The Mackey Mortuary, Greenville, South Carolina.

Published in The Greenville News: 03-20-2008

J.W. "Bill" Stonebraker '47

J. W. "Bill" Stonebraker, 80, of Union City, Georgia, went home to be with the Lord on March 13, 2008. Bill was born in Webster City, Iowa on April 15, 1927, son of the late Jesse and Besse Yokely Stonebraker.
He is survived by Berkeley Stevenson Stonebraker, his devoted wife of 58 years. He leaves five children: Bill Stonebraker Jr. and wife Bonnie of Cut Bank, Montana; Jim Stonebraker and wife Diane of Anchorage, Alaska; Dorothy Edwards and husband Ronnie of Lawrencevile, Georgia; Mary Page and husband Steve of Bristol, Tennessee; and John Stonebraker and wife Dede of Fayetteville, Georgia. He has 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren: Paul Stonebraker, Erin Rossman, Mary Stonebraker, Ellen Stonebraker, Amy Stonebraker, Tricia Stonebraker, Ryan Stonebraker, Clint Edwards, Jennifer Edwards, Amanda Stonebraker, Hannah Stonebraker, David Stonebraker, Ben Stonebraker, P.J. Stonebraker, Nikki Rossman, and Jeremiah Edwards.
Bill received a B.A. degree from Presbyterian College and the B.D., Th.M. and D.Min. degrees from Columbia Seminary. He was ordained by Southwest
Georgia Presbytery in 1950 and served churches in Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida until his retirement in 1991. He served as the first director of the Christian Study Center, now called Center Point, in Gainesville, Georgia, from 1967-75 and received the Georgia State Star Teacher award in 1973. Bill served as chair of various Synod and Presbytery committees and moderator of two Presbyteries. He was twice a commissioner to the General Assembly. He served as Chaplain (Captain) in the USAF reserve for four and one-half years.
Bill was an accomplished classical pianist and enjoyed playing duets with Berkeley. His hobbies were many including flying airplanes, riding motorcycles, golf, swimming, reading, building model planes and ships, hiking, home maintenance, and volunteering for Habitat for Humanity.
A memorial service celebrating the life of Bill Stonebraker was held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 16, 2008 at Fayette Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville,
GA. The family received friends after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity.
Parrott Funeral Home, Fairburn. 770-964-4800.

Mitchell David Baddour ’48 of Goldsboro, N.C., died June 27, 2007, at the age of 83.

He retired from Smurfit-Stone Container Company in Wilson, N.C. He was a World War II veteran and a life-long member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Golden “K” Kiwanis.

Ralph Milton Ford Jr. ('50), 78, died Thursday, February 7, 2008 at Georgetown Memorial Hospital.Mr. Ford was born July 6, 1929 in Georgetown, South Carolina, a son of the late Ralph M. Ford Sr. and Leila Porter Ford. He graduated from Winyah High School in 1946 and Presbyterian College, Clinton, in 1950. Mr. Ford worked in the family business, C. L. Ford & Sons, Inc., until it closed in 1966. He then became an employee of the Georgetown County Department of Public Welfare and the Georgetown County Library. In 1970 he joined the staff of the Georgetown County Department of Social Services until retirement in June 1986.Mr. Ford served on the Board of Directors of The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Executive Board of The American Red Cross for more than 30 years, and served as treasurer. Mr. Ford was a board member and treasurer of The Georgetown Concert Association for many years, and a member of the Board of Directors of The Charleston Symphony Orchestra. He was also an honorary member of the Cotillion Club of Georgetown, having been a member since 1950.He was an active charter member of the Georgetown Auditorium Preservation Society, and vice president of the Georgetown Youth Association that helped raise funds for the restoration of the Winyah building.Mr. Ford was an active member of The Georgetown Presbyterian Church. He served as church organist for more than 30 years, as deacon, and a member of The Worship Committee. He also served as organist at First Baptist Church for a time.Mr. Ford was predeceased by a niece, Peggy Jean Ford Colwell.Survivors include two nieces, Jessie C. Ford of Columbia and Elizabeth Ann Parsons of Georgetown; and a number of cousins.Memorial services will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, February 10, 2008 at Georgetown Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Stephen H. Wilkins officiating. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall of the Church following the memorial service.Please sign a guest book at www.mayerfuneralhome.com and at MyrtleBeachOnline.com.The family suggests memorials may be made to Georgetown Presbyterian Church, 558 Black River Road, Georgetown, SC 29440 or Tara Hall, P.O. Box 955, Georgetown, SC 29442.Mayer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements."

Cary Parker Moore Sr. ’51 of Laurens, SC, died Dec. 16, 2007, at the age of 78.

He was a member of the Blue Hose football team and Kappa Alpha fraternity while at PC. He also attended graduate school at the University of South Carolina.

He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a member of the U.S. Army Reserves and served as captain.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Laurens, where he served as church school superintendent, chairman of ushers, member and chairman of the administrative board, a trustee, first president of the Church Foundation Board, and served on numerous committees at the church.

He was employed by Milliken and Company in Laurens in the industrial engineering area and became manager of the department. He later joined Laurens Glass, Inc., where he was director of planning and traffic in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Louisiana. After retiring from Laurens Glass, he went to work for Tifco Manufacturing in Hendersonville, N.C., where he served as vice president of administration. He later returned to Laurens Glass as manager.

He served as president of the Laurens Jaycees, the Laurens Exchange Club, and the Rotary Club, who awarded him the Paul Harris Fellow award. He was a member of Laurens City Council and the Commission of Public Works, where he served as chairman. He was active in the Boy Scouts, serving as a Scout Master. He was on the board of directors of the Laurens Chamber of Commerce and served on the Alumni Board at PC.