William Gregory Walsh

William Gregory Walsh

Easley

William "Bill" Gregory Walsh, 73, was born in Teaneck, NJ, on February 2, 1942 to Arthur Allen Walsh and Gladys Gregory Walsh. He passed away on October 24, 2015, in Greenville.

Bill followed in the footsteps of his father and older brother and graduated from Clemson University. He went on to earn advanced degrees from both the University of Georgia and the University of South Carolina, but forever maintained an allegiance to his beloved Tigers. He was a Captain in the U.S. Army, during which time he served as commander of a combat engineer company in Vietnam. He began his law career in private practice in 1982, and later presided as Municipal Judge for the cities of Simpsonville and Fountain Inn until his retirement in 2003.

An Eagle Scout and voracious reader, Bill loved to learn everything he could about a purchase or project before diving in. He was meticulous in his research and tireless in his efforts to share the knowledge and skills he accumulated, whether it be imparting the particulars of the law during the more than 15 years he spent as adjunct professor at Greenville Technical College, or teaching the tying of nautical knots. He was a Certified US Coast Guard Captain, and loved few things more than entertaining family, friends, colleagues and strangers aboard his houseboat, The Hartwell Office.

Bill was an active member of St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Easley where he served as Eucharistic minister, on the vestry, and with the Men's Group. He was active with Simpsonville Rotary, where he served as past President, past Assistant Governor for District 7750, and was twice honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. He also had a deep and abiding affection for barbeque done well, and spent several happy post-retirement years as a Master Judge and Marshal for the SC Barbeque Association.

Bill is survived by his wife, Carol Henderson (Richards) Walsh; by his daughter Kathryn Walsh Gooch of Simpsonville, SC; by his son William Gregory "Spiff" Walsh, Jr., and Spiff's wife, Allison, of Simpsonville, SC; by his son John Allen Walsh and John's wife, Kathy, of Greenville, SC; by his stepdaughters Angie Richards Dickmeyer and her husband, Tommy, of Easley, SC, and Carmen Richards Melton and her husband, Mark, of Denver, CO; and by 12 grandchildren. He is also survived by the mother of his children, Martha Jacks Batten, and her husband, Wilson Batten. He was preceded in death by many beloved pets, and survived by his dog, Muffin, who will miss their daily walks around the neighborhood and up and down the dock of Portman Marina.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, October 27, 2015 from 5:30-7:30 pm at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Easley. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 3 p.m. at Christ Church Episcopal in Greenville, with interment to follow at Robinson Memorial Gardens-Powdersville Road in Easley. Barbeque friends will host a celebration of Bill's life, and details will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to AHERO Foundation, 3996 Sandy Bluff Drive W, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563 or Simpsonville Rotary Foundation, P.O. Box 401 Simpsonville, SC 29681 or St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 1200 Powdersville Road Easley, SC 29642.

Condolences may be expressed online by visiting www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road, which is assisting the family.