CHAPIN – Funeral services for William F. Sullivan, 73, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2019, at the Chapin High School Arena with interment at 3:00 p.m. in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Bennettsville, SC. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 25, 2019, at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Chapin Chapel.
Mr. Sullivan passed away early Monday morning, January 21, 2019, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Vera Parrish Sullivan; brothers, Jimmie Lee Sullivan (Mary) and Robbie Sullivan; sister, Frances Terry; sister-in-law, Frances Sullivan; three special nephews – Sully Sullivan, Jack Parrish, and Shane Parrish – and numerous other nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, two brothers, and a sister.
A son of the late Claude Ira and Sarah Harter Sullivan, Mr. Sullivan grew up in Fairfax, South Carolina, and attended Allendale-Fairfax schools until his senior year, which he spent in Denmark, South Carolina, in order to play football for his oldest brother who was coaching there. After graduation, he attended Newberry College, majoring in mathematics and minoring in physics. He began his teaching career at Lexington High School in 1968-1969, staying for two years, and then went on to spend the next 46 years at Chapin High School. Mr. Sullivan was passionate about teaching and his students. During those years he devoted his time to helping students master the intricacies of math. He was never too busy or too tired to help a student who sought aid regardless of whether or not the student was in his classes.
Another type of teaching close to his heart was coaching. He served as football defensive coordinator for both Cecil Woolbright and Eddie Muldrow. During his years with Coach Woolbright, the team won two state championships in 1973 and 1974. He also coached girls’ basketball teams. His varsity team won the state championship for class AA in 1973. He was known for his skill as a motivator and the ability to instill life skills through his coaching.
Mr. Sullivan was a colorful spinner of tales which he interspersed among the algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus problems. Though most of the stories challenged credulity, they kept the students lively, alert, and receptive to the often complex concepts he was trying to instill.
A skilled musician, W.F. used his trombone to make spending money from the time he was an eighth-grader. His trombone earned him a music scholarship to Newberry College, and on weekends he traveled around North and South Carolina and Georgia playing dance jobs. For years he continued to play in bands around the Midlands, when his teaching and coaching duties allowed, and especially enjoyed his years with the Chapin High jazz band and occasionally playing for pep rallies to inject spirit.
His giving spirit earned him a number of accolades. To name a few, he was Teacher of theYear in 1976-1977, 1986-1987 and 1990-1991. He was in the original group inducted into the Chapin Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also the first assistant coach to participate in a North-South game. He was named Coach of the Year in 1982 by the Columbia Record for Class AA-girls.
Throughout his illness, the thing he hated most was being unable to continue his teaching. He simply wanted to return to the classroom and help more students to better their chances for success in life.
Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Chapin Chapel, is assisting the family with arrangements.
"To view the live stream of William F. Sullivan’s funeral service, please use the following link https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqrT9uQiROM&feature=youtube".
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