1922
W.
2007
W. Cecil Godley
October 3, 1922 — November 18, 2007
W. Cecil Godley, Clemson
Willie Cecil Godley, 85, of Clemson died November 18, 2007. Son of the late Peter Charles Godley Jr. and Eugenia Barnes Godley, Cecil was born in Miley, S.C. He graduated from Brunson High School (Brunson, S.C.) in 1939 and received a B.S. degree in agriculture from Clemson College (University) in 1943. Following his graduation, he joined the Clemson faculty. In 1949 and 1955 he earned masters and doctorate degrees in animal physiology and genetics from N.C. State College (University).
During World War II, Cecil served in the European Theater of Operations as an officer in the U.S. Army, Company B 407th Infantry. He was wounded in France and received the Purple Heart Award. After completing his active duty, Cecil continued serving his country in the U.S. Army Reserves and later retired as Colonel.
While on the faculty of Clemson University he served as a charter member of the Faculty Senate. He also served as Chairman of the University Research Council and as a member of the Graduate Council. He earned the reputation of being an excellent teacher and was the author or co-author of more than forty scientific papers in the field of Animal Science. He served terms as President of Phi Kappa Phi and Gamma Sigma Delta honor societies and was a member of Alpha Zeta and Sigma Zi. In addition, he was a member and served as chairman of many state, regional, and national agricultural research committees.
In 1986, Cecil retired from Clemson University as professor and Associate Dean and Director Emeritus of the S.C. Agricultural Experiment Stations. Upon his retirement he established the W.C. Godley Award for excellence in agricultural research currently known as the Godley-Snell Award. Honoring his many years of dedication to the mission of Clemson University, he received the Distinguished Service in Agriculture Award presented by Gamma Sigma Delta in 1987, the Centennial Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Agricultural Sciences in 1988, and the University's Distinguished Service Award in 1994. The University also honored him by dedicating the Godley-Snell Research Center in his name.
Because of his love for Clemson, he continued serving the University during retirement. He enjoyed volunteering with the Alumni Association and received the Association Volunteer of the Year Award in 2006. In addition, he worked tirelessly with the Class of 1943 on its class project, the "Big C" Carillon Bell and Carillon Gardens, and the annual class reunions. He was an avid supporter of Clemson athletic teams and especially enjoyed watching the Tigers play football and baseball.
His church and community were priorities in his life. Cecil was a long-time member of the Clemson First Baptist Church where he served as Sunday School Superintendent and Chairman of the Board of Deacons. He served as president of the Clemson Rotary Club and the Clemson Fellowship Club.
He is survived by his beloved family including his wife of 64 years, Alice Hogarth Godley; daughters Barbara Fulmer (John) of Chattanooga, TN, Kathryn Dunmyer (Tim) of Lexington SC, and Jeannie Rigdon (Steve) of Tifton GA; grandchildren Russell Fulmer of Chattanooga TN, Shannon Alexander (Philip) of Nashville TN, Zack Fulmer (Kimberly) of Winter Garden FL, Sarah Dunmyer of Lexington SC, and Alice and David Rigdon of Tifton GA; 9 great-grandchildren; and sister Dorothy G. Roberts of Jacksonville, FL. He was pre-deceased by much-loved grandson Christopher Dunmyer of Seneca, SC.
After a family burial at Cemetary Hill in Clemson, a memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at the First Baptist Church, Clemson. The family will receive friends immediately following the memorial service in the Family Life Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Clemson University Alumni Association or the Clemson First Baptist Church Building Fund.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central-Clemson Commons, which is assisting the family.
Willie Cecil Godley, 85, of Clemson died November 18, 2007. Son of the late Peter Charles Godley Jr. and Eugenia Barnes Godley, Cecil was born in Miley, S.C. He graduated from Brunson High School (Brunson, S.C.) in 1939 and received a B.S. degree in agriculture from Clemson College (University) in 1943. Following his graduation, he joined the Clemson faculty. In 1949 and 1955 he earned masters and doctorate degrees in animal physiology and genetics from N.C. State College (University).
During World War II, Cecil served in the European Theater of Operations as an officer in the U.S. Army, Company B 407th Infantry. He was wounded in France and received the Purple Heart Award. After completing his active duty, Cecil continued serving his country in the U.S. Army Reserves and later retired as Colonel.
While on the faculty of Clemson University he served as a charter member of the Faculty Senate. He also served as Chairman of the University Research Council and as a member of the Graduate Council. He earned the reputation of being an excellent teacher and was the author or co-author of more than forty scientific papers in the field of Animal Science. He served terms as President of Phi Kappa Phi and Gamma Sigma Delta honor societies and was a member of Alpha Zeta and Sigma Zi. In addition, he was a member and served as chairman of many state, regional, and national agricultural research committees.
In 1986, Cecil retired from Clemson University as professor and Associate Dean and Director Emeritus of the S.C. Agricultural Experiment Stations. Upon his retirement he established the W.C. Godley Award for excellence in agricultural research currently known as the Godley-Snell Award. Honoring his many years of dedication to the mission of Clemson University, he received the Distinguished Service in Agriculture Award presented by Gamma Sigma Delta in 1987, the Centennial Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Agricultural Sciences in 1988, and the University's Distinguished Service Award in 1994. The University also honored him by dedicating the Godley-Snell Research Center in his name.
Because of his love for Clemson, he continued serving the University during retirement. He enjoyed volunteering with the Alumni Association and received the Association Volunteer of the Year Award in 2006. In addition, he worked tirelessly with the Class of 1943 on its class project, the "Big C" Carillon Bell and Carillon Gardens, and the annual class reunions. He was an avid supporter of Clemson athletic teams and especially enjoyed watching the Tigers play football and baseball.
His church and community were priorities in his life. Cecil was a long-time member of the Clemson First Baptist Church where he served as Sunday School Superintendent and Chairman of the Board of Deacons. He served as president of the Clemson Rotary Club and the Clemson Fellowship Club.
He is survived by his beloved family including his wife of 64 years, Alice Hogarth Godley; daughters Barbara Fulmer (John) of Chattanooga, TN, Kathryn Dunmyer (Tim) of Lexington SC, and Jeannie Rigdon (Steve) of Tifton GA; grandchildren Russell Fulmer of Chattanooga TN, Shannon Alexander (Philip) of Nashville TN, Zack Fulmer (Kimberly) of Winter Garden FL, Sarah Dunmyer of Lexington SC, and Alice and David Rigdon of Tifton GA; 9 great-grandchildren; and sister Dorothy G. Roberts of Jacksonville, FL. He was pre-deceased by much-loved grandson Christopher Dunmyer of Seneca, SC.
After a family burial at Cemetary Hill in Clemson, a memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at the First Baptist Church, Clemson. The family will receive friends immediately following the memorial service in the Family Life Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Clemson University Alumni Association or the Clemson First Baptist Church Building Fund.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central-Clemson Commons, which is assisting the family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of W. Cecil Godley, please visit our flower store.
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