Born in Anderson, he was a son of the late William H. and Lillie Kerr Gilmer. He earned his Eagle Scout in 1961 from Honea Path Troop 5. A 1966 graduate of Honea Path High School, he served in the South Carolina Army National Guard as 1st Sergeant and retired after 24 years. He also retired from Chronicle Printing. He was active in Honea Path in many ways including, serving 50+ years at the Honea Path Fire Department, a charter member and former President of the Honea Path Civitan Club, a Town Councilman, Mayor and SC Summary Court Judge. He was also the former owner and operator of Jet’s Landing for 30 years, Lake Secession, Abbeville, SC.

Surviving are his wife, Fredda, of the home, a son, William T. (Kevin) Gilmer (Kristie) of Honea Path; two brothers, Steve Lemar Gilmer and Freddie Gilmer (Toni) both of Honea Path; two brothers-in-law, Wally Hall (Darby) of North Myrtle Beach and Butch Moore of Honea Path; two grandchildren, Kristopher Gilmer and Kenny Webster (Tori); a great-grandson, Grayson Webster; three nephews, B.J. Gilmer (Megan), Sam Gilmer, and Gavin Ivey; three nieces, Aubrey Gilmer, Riley Gilmer, and Janet M. Balsiger (Michael), and two great-nieces, Julia Preston and Sophie Ivey.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 1, 2024 at Honea Path First Baptist Church with Rev. Tony Smith, the Hon. Senator Mike Gambrell, and Dr. Jimmy Smith, MD officiating. Burial will follow in Eastview Cemetery, Honea Path.

The family is at the home and will receive friends from 6 to 8 pm Saturday, August 31, 2024 at Pruitt Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.ParkerWhitePruitt.com.