Balloon Launch for Bill's Celebration of Life

Our Greatest Memories of Papa Bill/Granddaddy

Written by the six grandchildren for the back of the service bulletin, February 8, 2011:

“Playing golf with Papa Bill at Edisto Beach”–Stephen McMann (14)

“I enjoyed our walks on the Leisure Trail I will always remember our long walks and talks.”–Joy McMann (12)

“I love him very much. He gave me all his love. When I came to visit I always had a great time. Even though he’s gone, I will always have him in my heart.” — Emily Coogler (10)

“I remember the most, the big hugs I gave him before I left his house.” –Faith McMann (9)

” I loved playing golf and going to “Skins” with Grandaddy. I love him.”–  Benjamin Coogler (8)

“He was a wonderful person. He loved us so much. He lived as long as he could. I love him. He loved his wife and kids.” --Sara Coogler (5) Read More→

These remarks were read by Rick Coogler and echoed his thoughts as well as those of his brothers, William W. Coogler III, and Tony Coogler:

“Our Dad was a loving, intelligent, simple, complicated, respectful, efficient, and humble man.

He had high expectations for himself and those around him and to tell the truth, as his son, that made life a little tough at times.  He taught us by example, to accept all people. Read More→

The following remarks were from the Celebration Of Life we had for Bill, February 8, 2011:

Bill Coogler was tenderly tough: he gave me ‘Month a versary flowers the 26^th’ of every month. He loved all 6 grandchildren, five children,their spouses, and delighted in their accomplishments. We danced to shag tunes in the kitchen, den, dance club, cruises, and parties. We enjoyed road-trips that looped the country from Florida to Arizona and cruises to Hawaii and Alaska. We danced on cruise ships in Bermuda and Nova Scotia. We relished quiet times away from the clatter of remodeling in Greenville’s West End. Our favorite trips were to Sapphire Valley, Edisto Beach, New Orleans, Clinton, and Winston-Salem. Bill was an avid supporter of Clemson Athletics and his favorites were football and baseball.

Bill said in April 2010 at Edisto Island after waking up: “I’m dying and I saw myself in Heaven in a white robe.”  In ICU at Oconee Hospital he said the arms of the “Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit are around me.” Also he said “the prayers of many have kept me alive”.

The following scriptures were read by my pastor, Rev. Jeremy Garrett: Psalm 27:13-14; Revelation 21:4; Revelation 21:22-23. The Holy Spirit gave me the following scripture in the emergency room at Self Memorial Hospital when I was having trouble whispering to Bill that I would be alright and he could go to Jesus, he died two hours later.

Revelation 22:7; Revelation 22:12-14.

He finished the race and kept the faith.

My Camelot is a tiny island nestled south of the “Holy City” of Charleston, SC.  Edisto Island whispers Gullah legends in her shifting sands.  Ambling along the surf’s edge, my husband and I listened in wonder at the mysterious sounds of dolphin chatter.  A shrimp trawler glides homeward, silhouetted in the amber-orange hues of a coastal sunset. Read More→

There are events in our lives that hit with such impact that we can almost feel the shock and awe every time we think about it. My mother left our home to be admitted into a mental hospital when I was but eIeven years old and later died when I was fifteen.  I was about to experience another defining moment that would change the winding path that my life has taken. Read More→

My next writings will be in honor and memory of a brown-eyed handsome man, Steve Massey, my first husband and co-author of our two children.  I want to introduce you to Steve, first in a serious way, then go to the funny stories from our young years on the farm, the triumph of his salvation, a message from God, and his long illness leading up to his death date of, January 31, 1996. He was dedicated to God, country, his family, and a host of friends, two footed and four footed! Read More→

 The bombing of Pearl Harbor was 70 years ago this week-December 7, 1941.

Reaching the shore, D-Day Memorial, Bedford Virginia

This is a salute to those whose devotion to God and country carried them into bloody waters.  The visits I’ve made to the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia are also in honor of them.  It was early summer of 2002 when my husband and I first visited these hallowed grounds.  Read More→

This is a reminder to all of us that institutions of higher learning are more than athletics.

Read to the Class of 1953

Golden Tiger 50^th Anniversary Banquet

June 13, 2003

 The sharp spire of Tillman Hall cut through the clouds and his stomach.  This was home?  Pictures of his mellow Chester, South Carolina home drifted into his consciousness.   An image of winding streets encircling the town’s war monument eased his trembling.  In his mind’s eye, he skidded along the streets delivering newspapers from his new red bicycle.  Read More→

The date was September 14, 2001 and the 35^th Reunion of R.J. Reynolds High School Class of 1966 was about to begin; but the usual social banter wasn’t on anyone’s mind.  Tragically, September 11, 2001, forever referred to as “911,” had to come first. The colors of our alma mater are black and gold, but our clothes that weekend were striped with red, white, and blue. Read More→

Mama and her sisters knew we all needed a summer beach break.  My Grandma Stell’s condition had deteriorated to the point that she needed a nursing home with skilled care.   It was a rowdy female family that loaded the car for a trip to Myrtle Beach that steamy August day of 1962.  Read More→