Home > United States of America > South Carolina > Florence County > Peniel Crossroads > Peniel Baptist Church Cemetery > Clarence Richmond Wilhoit

Clarence Richmond Wilhoit

View larger map

Birth	:	31 Jan 1922
Death	:	26 Jan 2010
Burial	:	Peniel Baptist Church Cemetery, Peniel Crossroads, Florence County, USA
Coordinate	:	34.1022880, -79.8775820
Description	:	FLORENCE - Clarence Richmond Wilhoit, 87, died in Florence on Tuesday, January 26th 2010, after a brief illness. Richmond was born in Charlottesville, Virginia on January 31, 1922. He was the son of the late Clarence Ezekiel and Nancy Belle Fiers Wilhoit. One of eleven children, he was preceded in death by Monty Ray, Louisa, Cecil Thornton, Clarence Jr., E.Q., Nannie, Charlton and Caroline. At the age of two his family moved to Florence where he attended primary and secondary school, graduating from Florence High School (McClena-ghan) in 1940. In the 1930's Richmond's oldest brother Cecil established the family business,... Read More	FLORENCE - Clarence Richmond Wilhoit, 87, died in Florence on Tuesday, January 26th 2010, after a brief illness. Richmond was born in Charlottesville, Virginia on January 31, 1922. He was the son of the late Clarence Ezekiel and Nancy Belle Fiers Wilhoit. One of eleven children, he was preceded in death by Monty Ray, Louisa, Cecil Thornton, Clarence Jr., E.Q., Nannie, Charlton and Caroline. At the age of two his family moved to Florence where he attended primary and secondary school, graduating from Florence High School (McClena-ghan) in 1940. In the 1930's Richmond's oldest brother Cecil established the family business, Wilhoit Steel Erectors/Southern Contractors. Upon graduation Richmond joined the family business as did all of his brothers. At the beginning of World War II the United States military needed shelter for its growing fleet of aircraft. Wilhoit Steel assisted by building many of the armed forces aircraft hangers. Upon construction of aircraft hangers at Gilbert Field in Florence the company project was complete. Each of the Wilhoit brothers enlisted in the U.S. military where they served their country with distinction. Richmond joined the Army Air Corps attending officer flight training at Texas Tech and was subsequently trained as a bombardier navigator, serving through the war's end. All five brothers and one sister, Charlton, were honored after the war for having the most siblings serving in the war effort in the state of South Carolina. At the war's end Richmond and his five brothers returned to Florence and reestablished the family construction business. As the business grew, Cecil, Richmond's older brother expanded the business to Columbia during the 1950s, leaving Richmond to operate the Florence office. There he continued to work on projects both local and national in scope and influence. Cape Canaveral was one such ongoing project which included launch pads for the Apollo space program as well as early flights of the Space Shuttle. They also built the world's largest dry dock crane at the Norfolk Shipyard as well as numerous projects with Nucor Steel Corp. around the country. With the death of Cecil in the late 1970s Richmond restructured the family business into what became Millwright Services which continued to work locally and nationally for the next quarter century eventually limiting its scope to local projects at Nucor Steel and Sonoco Paper Products. At the age of eighty-five, after a career which spanned over seven decades, Richmond completed his work with Millwright Services. Highly respected in the engineering and construction community Richmond's knowledge of steel construction and its many nuances earned the respect of all who knew or worked with him. He and his business were known for the family motto, "Do the jobs others said could not be done." Though construction was his life's work it was not his life. When not working Richmond was immersed in the community he loved. Richmond was a life long member of the Masons and Shriners, joining at age 21. Locals will remember "Leaping Lena" which Steve Love and Richmond built as a symbol of goodwill, promoting Shriner projects. Richmond joined First Baptist Church in 1947, where he was an active and devoted member. He served as deacon from the early 1970's onward, always supporting his church. In later years he was a member of The Gourmet Club and The Kingsburg Rod and Gun Club, where he enjoyed a fellowship of friends and the peace of God's nature. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elgiva S. Anderson Wilhoit of the home; two children, Clarence Richmond (Richie) Wilhoit and his wife Ellen of Florence, Norma S. Wilhoit of Johns Island SC; four grandchildren, Richmond T Wilhoit, Eliza Drayton Wilhoit, Christina S.T. Wilhoit, and Scott R. Thomas; two sisters, Mabel McNair of Hartsville SC, and Amorette Turner of Pamplico; and 27 nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to Waters Powell Funeral Home in Florence for visitation Thursday, January 28, 2010, from 6pm to 8pm. The service will be held at First Baptist Church in Florence SC on Friday, January 29, 2010 at 2pm. Graveside service will follow at Peniel Baptist Church Cemetery on Twin Church Rd., Timmonsville SC. Past employees of Wilhoit Steel Erectors, Southern Contractors, and Millwright Service of Florence will serve as honorary pallbearers. Few men are fortunate enough to value and take pride in their life's work, fewer still, leave a legacy that stands well beyond their time, Clarence Richmond Wilhoit, loved by all, found solace in both.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Clarence Richmond Wilhoit's memorial?
Clarence Richmond Wilhoit's memorial is located at: Peniel Baptist Church Cemetery, Peniel Crossroads, Florence County, USA.
When did Clarence Richmond Wilhoit death?
Clarence Richmond Wilhoit death on 26 Jan 2010 in
Where are the coordinates of the Clarence Richmond Wilhoit's memorial?
Latitude: 34.1022880
Longitude: -79.8775820

Family Members:

Parent

Siblings

Amorette Wilhoit Turner

(1914 - 2015)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Peniel Baptist Church Cemetery
Peniel Crossroads, Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1022880, -79.8775820

2. Anderson Cemetery
Timmonsville, Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0920910, -79.8809480

3. Oliver Cemetery
Timmonsville, Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1077090, -79.8572290

4. Lawhon Family Cemetery
Timmonsville, Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1135010, -79.9051200

5. McLeod Cemetery
Timmonsville, Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0861340, -79.9072540

6. Morris Cemetery
Timmonsville, Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1228320, -79.9050720

7. Seller's Cemetery
Timmonsville, Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0796290, -79.8367860

8. Sparrow Swamp Cemetery
Timmonsville, Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0541992, -79.8771973

9. Church of Christ Cemetery
Florence, Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1520440, -79.8833900

10. Howard Chapel Freewill Baptist Church
Timmonsville, Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0756790, -79.9305800

11. Anderson Langston Cemetery
Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0524460, -79.8570440

12. Sansbury Cemetery
Timmonsville, Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1427994, -79.9225006

13. Williams Cemetery
Effingham, Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0619100, -79.8318900

14. Nowlin Cemetery
Elim, Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0668170, -79.8253570

15. Old Midway Baptist Church Cemetery
Timmonsville, Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0729090, -79.9354530

16. Sansbury Hill Cemetery
Sardis, Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0600550, -79.9267390

17. Turner Cemetery
Effingham, Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0839450, -79.8033480

18. Myers Cemetery
Effingham, Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1259450, -79.8023490

19. Byrd Cemetery
Timmonsville, Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1274986, -79.9524994

20. Mount Carmel Baptist Church Cemetery
Timmonsville, Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1563270, -79.9255200

21. Florence Memorial Gardens
Florence, Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1631012, -79.8424988

22. McKay Cemetery
Timmonsville, Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0346076, -79.8795688

23. Matthews Family Cemetery
Timmonsville, Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0364700, -79.8981000

24. Sunset Memory Gardens
Effingham, Florence County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1514015, -79.8193970