Bill Ashley

Honea Path – World War II veteran and retired textile executive William Earl Ashley, 87, died Sunday, October 18, 2009.

Born August 10, 1922 in Ware Shoals, Greenwood County, he was the son of the late Jesse T. “Buddy” Jr., and Florence Lillian O’Dell Ashley.

He served as a platoon sergeant with the 2nd Marine Division during WWII, participating in the Pacific campaigns of Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa. In 1949 he graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Textile Science and was employed with Riegel Textiles, Dan River Mills, M. Lowenstein Corporation and Springs Industries. In 1988 he retired as Vice President and General Manager of Chiquola Manufacturing in Honea Path and Orr-Lyons Mill in Anderson.

Mr. Ashley was an active member of the 2nd Marine Division Association and a member of the First Baptist Church of Honea Path.

He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Emily Wilson Ashley, in 1996. He is survived by two daughters, Jane Ashley Guthrie Smith and husband Rev. Richard M. Smith of Hardeeville, SC, and Lillian Ashley Swain and husband John W. Swain, Jr., of Dumfries VA; four grandchildren, Benjamin Guthrie and wife Katie, Susan Guthrie, Elizabeth Swain and Will Swain; two great-grandchildren, Olivia and Blake Guthrie.

One of twelve siblings, Mr. Ashley is also survived by two sisters, Fannie Ashley Black of Shelby, NC and Thelma Crawford Young of Ware Shoals, SC.

Services will be held at First Baptist Church of Honea Path on Friday at 2 P.M Interment will follow at Turkey Creek Cemetery in Ware Shoals. Visiting hours will be at Parker-White-Pruitt Funeral Home in Honea Path on Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30. Memorials may be sent to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621 or First Baptist Church of Honea Path, 100 S. Main St. Honea Path, SC 29654.

Online condolences may be made at www.parkerwhitepruitt.com