1944

Reverend William Belton Gaither was born on 18 Feb 1944 in Liberty Hill, Kershaw, South Carolina, USA a child of Felmon Tate Gaither Sr. and Mary Josephine James Gaither.

1950

William B Gaither was counted in the census on 10 Apr 1950 in Flat Rock, Kershaw, South Carolina, USA, as a 6-year-old, male, single, negro, grandson. Also in the home was his grandfather, Albert Gaither; his grandmother, Martha Gaither; his uncles; Johniaie Gaither and James Gaither; his father, Felmon Gaither; his mother, Josephine Gaither; and his siblings; Felman Gaither, Joseph A Gaither; and Gwendolyn L Gaither.

2022

He died on 12 Oct 2022. He was buried on 22 Oct 2022 in Liberty Hill, Kershaw, South Carolina, USA at Messiah Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Obituary

Reverend William Belton Gaither, 78, departed this life on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. He was born on February 18, 1944, to Josephine James Gaither and the late Felmon Tate Gaither Sr. in Liberty Hill SC.

Reverend Gaither received his early religious training in the Messiah Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., where he served in the capacity of Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Choir Member, Clerk of Session, Ruling Elder, Moderator of the Session, and lastly as the Lay Minister, providing pastoral leadership to the congregation. He continued to ‘work’ in God’s ministry through the Presbyterian Church until one month to his demise.

Reverend Gaither’s educational journey began in the Kershaw County School System. He continued his post-secondary education when he enrolled and matriculated at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC. In 1967, he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Education. He is a graduate of the SC Presbyterian Lay School of Theology, with a diploma as a Lay Pastor.

Reverend Gaither was blessed to acquire Colonial Florist in Camden, SC, where he provided a full range of services, including floral arrangements for all occasions, catering for weddings and anniversaries, tuxedo rentals, contract services for videographers and photographers, ordering wedding announcements and accessories, special holiday decorations for homes and businesses. He started a second career with the South Carolina Employment Security Commission in Columbia, SC, working as a supervisor until his retirement in 2015.

Reverend Gaither engaged in several fraternal and masonic organizations. While attending Johnson C. Smith University, he became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Rho Chapter. He served as a representative for ΏΘΦ’ on the Pan-Hellenic Council (the Divine Nine). After relocating to South Carolina in 1970, he became affiliated with the Chi Chi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi in Camden, SC.

Left to cherish his memories are his mother, Josephine Gaither of the home; three sisters, Gwendolyn G. (Leon) Cunningham, Heath Springs, SC, Ann G. (Timothy B) Cureton, Lancaster, SC and Dannette Gaither (Ted) Norwalk, CT; one brother, Mack ‘Butch” Gaither (Carla), New Carrollton, MD and one aunt, Margaret J. Stover, Charlotte, NC.

Funeral Service: Mount Moriah Baptist Association Center 3045 John G. Richards Road, Camden SC.

Burial: Messiah Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Cemetery.

Individual final rites rituals: Omega Psi Phi, Booker T. Washington Consistory #225, and Sons of Liberty #148 from 6:00 -8:00 at Stewart Funeral