Mr. William H. Gathers

May 10, 1932 - February 11, 2021

Mr. William Henry Gathers was born May 10, 1932 in Charleston, South Carolina. The youngest son of the Late Abednego and Corine Wilson Gathers of Charleston, SC, William gained his wings on Thursday, February 11, 2021. His parents and siblings: Mrs. Mable Moultrie, Mrs. Mary Simmons, Mrs. Mildred Washington, Mrs. Mattie Singleton, Ms. Betty Gathers and Mr. Edward Gathers in addition to two sisters in-law and six brothers in-law preceded him in death. William was educated in the Charleston County Public Schools and was a 1950 graduate of Burke High School where he excelled on the football field as well as in the classroom. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Studies from North Carolina A & T State University, Greensboro, NC. Upon graduation from college, he received a commission into the United States Army as a 2nd Lieutenant and proudly served this country for two years before answering his true calling as an educator. He later matriculated to South Carolina State College where he earned a Master of Education degree in 1970. William met the former Bessie Mae Allen while teaching at Bonds-Wilson High School. They were married on November 22, 1960 and to this union, two daughters were born – Carlise and Crystal. William was a life-long member of Morris Brown AME Church, having accepted Christ as his personal Savior at an early age. A faithful servant and willing worker, he was a member of the Junior Steward Board, a Class Leader, and Vice-Chairman of the Senior Trustee Board. In later years, he served as a Trustee Emeritus of the Senior Trustee Board. William was an esteemed educator and administrator for 28 years in the Charleston County Public Schools. He was able to share his love for learning with countless students as a teacher at Bonds-Wilson High School, North Charleston, SC; principal of Murray Hill Elementary School, North Charleston, SC; assistant principal of Dorchester Road Elementary School, North Charleston, SC; principal of Jennie Moore Elementary School, Mt. Pleasant, SC; and as an administrator at the Charleston County School District Office, before retiring in 1985. William and Bessie enjoyed traveling and spent several weeks every year at their home-away-from-home in Myrtle Beach, SC. Left to cherish his precious memories are his loving and devoted wife of 60 years, Mrs. Bessie Allen Gathers; daughters Mrs. Carlise G. Shedrick (Charlie) and Ms. Crystal R. Gathers of North Charleston, SC; five sisters in-law, Mrs. Justine W. Allen of Rochester, NY; Mrs. Elizabeth Buckner of Ridgeland, SC; Mrs. Eliza Fitts (William) of Allendale, SC; Mrs. Janie Ramsey of Coram, NY; and Mrs. Denise Hartley (John) of Columbia, SC; five nieces, Ms. Barbara A. Gathers and Mrs. Dawnelle G. Wright both of Charleston, SC; Mrs. Mildred G. Swinton (Randolph) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; Dr. Angie M. Daniels (Gordon) of North Charleston, SC; and Dr. Shawn W. Clark (Lance) of Annapolis, MD; two nephews, Mr. Earl Washington, II of Charleston, SC and Mr. James Simmons, III of Columbia, SC; and a host of other nieces, nephews loving relatives and friends including two special friends who visited him regularly, Rev. Rita V. Bass and Ms. Yvonne Bellinger. Live stream for the service may be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/kingdomgrafixbyty/