Download This Version in Microsoft Word format
TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR BROTHER WILLIAM ALEXANDER PURVIS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF WILLIAMS CHAPEL AME CHURCH STEWARD PRO TEM AND TO THANK HIM FOR HIS TWENTY-SIX YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE IN THAT RESPECTED POSITION.
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives has learned that Brother William Alexander "Bill" Purvis, having served faithfully for twenty-six years as Williams Chapel AME Church steward pro tem, retired from his office in November 2017; and
Whereas, a native of Williamsburg County, Brother Bill Purvis was the third of thirteen children born to the Reverend D.A. and Annie Bradley Purvis. He attended Claflin College for two years before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1949. He served his country for twenty years; and
Whereas, in 1973, Brother Purvis returned to South Carolina. In preparation for the next stage of his career, he earned his bachelor's degree in education from Claflin College in 1976 and his master's degree in education from South Carolina State University in 1978. He was employed in the public school system in Neeses and Norway as a teacher, followed by service as a principal in Norway; and
Whereas, this man of faith joined Williams Chapel under the late Reverend Chappelle M. Davis. He was appointed a steward by the Reverend L.T. Baker and later pro tem, a position in which he served under six pastors, beginning in 1991: the Reverends Lorenza T. Baker, Dr. George F. Flowers, Roderick D. Belin, Dr. Juenarril Keith, Dr. Caesar R. Richburg, and Stanley Rivers; and
Whereas, in addition, he served the church as assistant church school superintendent and teacher, president of Class Leaders' Union and class leader, lay president, assistant chair of transportation, assistant chair of the Commission on Finance, and, for ten years, assistant chair of Men's Day. In well-deserved recognition of his many years of service to Williams Chapel, the boardroom was named in his honor on April 21, 2013, at the church's one hundred fortieth anniversary celebration; and
Whereas, further, Bill Purvis has always been very active in the Orangeburg community. He served on the Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees for ten years, and he organized the Brookdale Civic Association and served as its president for twenty-eight years. He is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the NAACP, Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons, and American Legion, among other organizations; and
Whereas, thankful for his many blessings, Brother Purvis considers it one of the greatest triumphs of his life that he was able to persuade the lovely Annie Green Purvis to become his wife. They are the proud parents of three children, sons William, Jr. (Lola) and Carl (Nerri) and daughter Barbara, who have given their mother and father the joy of three delightful grandchildren and four charming great-grandchildren; and
Whereas, the House of Representatives takes great pleasure in saluting Bill Purvis for the legacy of consistent commitment and excellence he has bestowed on the congregation of Williams Chapel. The House also is pleased to learn that, while Mr. Purvis has stepped down from his post as steward pro tem, he will continue to bless his church by serving as a member of the steward board. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Brother William Alexander "Bill" Purvis on the occasion of his retirement from the office of Williams Chapel AME Church steward pro tem and thank him for his twenty-six years of dedicated service in that respected position.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Brother William Alexander Purvis.
This web page was last updated on April 11, 2018 at 10:25 AM