South Carolina General Assembly
124th Session, 2021-2022

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Bill 5284


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A HOUSE RESOLUTION

TO HONOR WILLIAM J. REID OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY AS THE OLDEST LIVING MORTICIAN IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that William J. Reid of Chesterfield County, at the age of 102, is the oldest living mortician in the Palmetto State, as well as the state's oldest living Black mortician; and

Whereas, this native of Chesterfield County was born in the town of Cheraw on November 12, 1919. He is the proud father of one daughter, who serves as a superior court judge in Washington, D.C.; and

Whereas, when first considering what his life's work should be, Mr. Reid wanted to be a medical doctor, but circumstances led him into his long career as a successful mortician. He enrolled at Eckels College of Mortuary Science, from which he graduated in 1947. He then served a two-year apprenticeship under Mr. Johnson at Johnson Funeral Home in Columbia, which later became Palmer & Johnson Funeral Home and then Palmer Memorial Chapel; and

Whereas, in 1949, William Reid opened his own business, Reid's Funeral Home of Cheraw. At that time, funerals cost between three hundred and five hundred dollars. Mr. Reid relished his career and enjoyed serving families over the years. He retired in December 2020 and has sold the business, but he remains licensed in the State of South Carolina; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House takes great pleasure in saluting Mr. Reid on his dedicated service of seven decades as a mortician, and the members extend warmest good wishes for a joyful 103rd birthday this coming November. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor William J. Reid of Chesterfield County as the oldest living mortician in the State of South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to William J. Reid.

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