WEATHER UPDATE - 2/13/2010 - SERVICES WILL BE HELD AS SCHEDULED.

WARE SHOALS, S.C.

Coach William Robert “Bob” Johnston

William Robert Johnston, 74, of 2424 Nation Road, Hodges, S.C., husband of Carol “Pat” Johnston, died Thursday, February 11, 2010 at Self Regional Medical Center. He was born in Ware Shoals, S.C., a son of the late Robert Burton and Carrie Ridgeway Johnston and was a member of Ware Shoals First Baptist Church. Mr. Johnston was a teacher and coach at Daniel High School, Fair Play High School and Oakway High School between the years of 1958-1966. He also coached the legendary “Pistol” Pete Maravich when Maravich was in seventh grade at Daniel High in Clemson. He continued his career at Ware Shoals High School from 1967-1981. He was the only coach to lead the Lady Hornettes to win five state championships since 1954 and had a 347-48 career record. He was inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1999 and in 2003 Ware Shoals High School honored Mr. Johnston by naming their gymnasium, William Robert “Bob” Johnston Gymnasium. He continued to be a strong advocate for the Ware Shoals community, sports programs and mentor to its youth at the Larry Traynham Center for many years.

Surviving in addition to his wife of the home, are three sons, W.R. “Robby” Johnston, Jr. and his wife, Jo, Gregory L. “Gregg” Johnston and his wife Pam, all of Hodges and Christopher P. “Chris” Johnston of Greenwood, two brothers, Ronnie Johnston and his wife Jane of Cartersville, Ga, Dean Johnston and his wife Rhoda of Honea Path, two aunts, Marie Ridgeway Smith and Louvenia Cothran Ridgeway; four grandchildren, Taylor Johnston, Will Johnston, George Ambrose and Kiki Wood, two great-grand children, Ellie and Chambe Lindley, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, 1 pm at the Little River Multicultural Complex, 415 Riley Road North in Hodges, SC with Reverends Leon Jones, Marcus Bishop, James Davis and Mark Lowe officiating. The family will receive friends immediately after the funeral service and a private burial service will follow at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, Greenwood, S.C.
Honorary Escort will be all girls and boys who have ever been coached by Coach Bob Johnston and the Board of Directors of the Ware Shoals Alumni Association.

Memorials may be made to The Alumni Association of Ware Shoals Schools, c/o Bennett Medlin, 11889 Indian Mound Road, Ware Shoals, S.C. 29692.
Parker-White Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.parkerwhitepruitt.com.