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TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE JOHN WILLIAM "BILL" RISER, SR., OF WEST COLUMBIA AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were deeply saddened by the passing of the Honorable John William "Bill" Riser, Sr., of West Columbia on August 17, 2020, at the venerable age of eighty-six; and
Whereas, born on January 4, 1934, in Bowman, Bill was the son of the late Thomas "Doc" Riser, Sr., and Nell Weathers Riser. He earned his bachelor's degree from Clemson University in 1957, where he played basketball from 1952 to 1956. He was on the first Clemson team to play in the first ACC Conference in 1954; and
Whereas, Bill worked for the Clemson University Extension Service in Aiken, Saluda, and Richland counties, retiring in 1989. In 2015, he was in the first class of honorees to be inducted into the A. Frank Lever County Extension Agent Hall of Fame for service to South Carolina and the farming industry; and
Whereas, a man who never met a stranger, Bill served his community well. When he became Richland County's top agent, he also grew into a media star, hosting the Early Riser show from 1976 to 1989 and writing a column for The State newspaper; and
Whereas, this longtime farmer and extension agent never refused to share plant and garden tips as he traveled the countryside. Further, Bill was a former Jaycee and a Lions Club member, and he worked with the youth in the 4-H program in Saluda County; and
Whereas, in addition, Bill Riser served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1991 to 2002 for House District 69 (Lexington County). His tenure in the House included effective membership on the critical Ways and Means Committee and the Higher Education, Technical, and Cultural Budget Subcommittee, as well as his vital chairmanship of the legislative Personnel and Benefits Subcommittee. He was also a member of the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee for four years; and
Whereas, he leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife of sixty-two years, Peggy Ann Gwinn Riser; their three children, Deborah A. Riser of Columbia, Karen R. Roof (Robert) of Eastover, and John W. Riser, Jr. (Jennifer) of Atlanta; four grandchildren, Caldwell Roof, Kirsten Roof, Emma Riser, and Chloe Riser; one great-grandchild, Drakeford Roof; and a host of other relatives and friends; and
Whereas, the people of South Carolina were made better by the influence of Bill Riser and will greatly miss his impactful presence. His was a life well lived. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express profound sorrow upon the passing of the Honorable John William "Bill" Riser, Sr., of West Columbia and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mrs. Peggy Ann Gwinn Riser for the family.
This web page was last updated on September 15, 2020 at 1:17 PM