William "Bubba" Easler

A funeral service for William L. “Bubba” Easler, 76, of Lexington, will be held at 3:00 pm on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at St. Stephens Lutheran Church, 119 N Church Street, Lexington, SC. 29072, with interment to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service in the church social hall beginning at 1:00 pm.

Memorials may be made to St. Stephens Lutheran Church, 119 N Church Street, Lexington, SC. 29072, or to a children’s shelter of your choice, as Bubba believed in helping those less fortunate.

Bubba went home to be with his heavenly father on Saturday, December 23, 2023. His health was declining drastically due to a neurological disease called MSA (Multiple System Atrophy). The disease was attacking his body from head to toe, and ultimately his mind in the last few weeks. His altered mental state caused him to take his life unexpectedly and tragically. He knew the Lord and asked Him to be the Lord and Savior of his life. He was adored and loved by all, especially our Heavenly Father, and we are rejoicing that he spent Christmas this year with Jesus and his beloved wife, Harriett. He lived life to the fullest and loved in the biggest way possible.

Bubba was born July 31, 1947 in Greenwood, SC to the late Tillman and Margaret Easler. He went to grammar school in Greenwood, SC, and then moved with his family to Williamston, SC, where he attended Palmetto Middle. His family then relocated to family land in Swansea, SC, and Bubba was recruited to play football at Eau Claire High School in Columbia where he lived with his coaches, especially the Shealy family. His coaches loved and mentored him, which in turn, helped him to achieve much success in life. He graduated from Eau Claire in 1967 and was recruited to play football all over the country. He landed at Western Carolina and played football on scholarship. He then transferred to the Baptist College in Charleston, SC where he ran track on scholarship and won national recognition. He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Criminal Justice. He retired from the State Parole Board in 1998 and then began a career with Security for NASCAR. He was the former Director of Security for Darlington International Speedway, Director of Security for North Carolina Motor Speedway and Rockingham International Dragway. He retired from Corporate Security with the International Speedway Corporation and served as a South Carolina State Constable.

He was a member of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Lexington, where he served on the church council and taught Sunday School for a number of years. He coached many Rec League ball teams and could be found attending numerous local sporting events. He loved supporting his grandchildren in their activities around town. He was a pillar in his community and a legend on the NASCAR Circuit. Bubba was blessed with a loving family. He married Harriett Hendrix Easler in July of 1974 and they were happily married for 44 years. They had one daughter, Leah Easler Fitts. Bubba was a totally dedicated and loving father, husband, coach, law enforcement officer, and friend, who was adored by everyone.

He is survived by his daughter, Leah Easler Fitts; (Steven R. Fitts, Jr.) of Lexington; grandchildren, William, Eliza, and Molly Fitts; sister, Carol E. Dowless of Gaston and several nieces and nephews. The Easler family is originally from Greeleyville, South Carolina, where he has many surviving family members.