Rock Hill, SC – Dr. William Clarence Wilson, 85, went to be with The Lord on Thursday, December 7, 2023.
Dr. Wilson was born on July 22, 1938, to the late Clarence and Doris Wilson, in Lancaster, SC. In his early life, he played baseball and football at Fort Mill High School and achieved the level of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. Dr. Wilson attained a BS from Wofford College and a DDS from the Medical College of Virgina where he was a member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon honorary dental fraternity. Dr. Wilson was also a charter member of the Rock Hill Sertoma Club (1965), serving as secretary (1971-1972) and treasurer (1972-1973), before being named as Sertoman of the year (1972-1973). He also served on both the YMCA Board (1971-1974) and the MUSC Board of Visitors (2009-2010).
In his work life, Dr Wilson worked as a dentist for 42 years. During his time in the dental industry, he achieved his Fellowship and Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry, and was a past president of the South Carolina Academy of General Dentistry. Following his retirement from dentistry, he remained active by serving the York Country Partners in Free Dentistry up until his death.
As a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Dr. Wilson served on the Diaconate and Session and was on its first Christian school board. He loved his Lord and enjoyed leading and being involved in Bible studies since joining the church in 1975.
Dr. Wilson also had a love and passion for nature. He enjoyed the lake and sharing it with his family and the international students at Winthrop that he hosted each summer. His love for birds of prey and waterfowl lead to a hobby of carving and painting birds. He was a member of the York Woodworkers Club and also had a passion for making 18th century furniture. He was a member of the Society of Period Furniture Makers, and enjoyed their courses in carving and construction techniques. He even had one of his pieces of furniture selected by Fine Woodworking Magazine for its gallery section. He derived much pleasure from working in his shop and on projects that his friends would bring for repair. Dr. Wilson also dearly enjoyed the fellowship of the weekly “lunch bunch” on Wednesdays.
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Carolyn Thompson Wilson; his sons, Michael Garrett Wilson of Charlotte, NC; and William Clarence Wilson, Jr. of Charleston, SC; and his sister, Susan Palmer (Bo).
He is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence Luther Wilson and Doris Valinna Griffin Wilson; and his sisters, Myra Britt and Patricia McFadden.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 2133 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill, SC.
A memorial service will be held for Dr. Wilson at 3:30 PM on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1320 India Hook Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29732. Burial will be held private and take place prior to the service.