Family, friends, colleagues and associates of Reece Williams all gathered today to celebrate his time among us and acknowledge and hail his next voyage. Reece was a complete being. While we are sad that he can no longer walk among us we are certain of his preparation for this next great adventure. It can be no better explained than with words from the second scene of Act 5 of Hamlet, I think one of Reece’s favorite Shakespearean passages. 

“If it be now, 'tis not to come: if it be not to come, it will be now: if it be not now, yet it will come: the readiness is all.”

Reece and my late husband, Fernando, shared a deep and enduring friendship for many, many years, filled with laughter, loyalty, and cherished memories.  It feels especially moving that Reece passed away on the anniversary of Fernando’s death, January 18. Perhaps their bond continues beyond this life.

I met Mr. Williams during my time with his wife. While a quiet man, I knew nothing was escaping him when I was answering his wife's thoughtful questions. I always enjoyed seeing him dressed in his vest, tie, and suit coat. I recently shared with Mrs. Williams that my favorite memory of him was asking if he wore his vest when he exercised at the YMCA. I finally got a smile and bit of a laugh out of him. And sometimes in our most trying moments, we all need a little laugh. I will miss him as he was a kind and quiet gentleman, but I know his memory will burn bright with his wife until they meet again.

A good lawyer and and even better person.   Condolences to the family.

As a court reporter, I remember seeing him often in the courthouse.  He was always extremely kind & smiling every time I saw him.  Most of all I remember the “threesome” of Reece, Tootie Williams & Alex Sanders.  I know he loved them & they  were soul brothers.  I will always remember seeing them together very often & I admired all very much.   Reece will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Nancy & family.  I am so sorry for your loss.   Reece was always such a nice person.  I enjoyed seeing both of you at our class reunions.   I will certainly keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

We are so very sad that Reece has passed away. He is so dear to us, and most importantly, Reece and Nancy are the reason our children will grow up as Gamecock fans.

Ian’s mom, and Reece and Nancy’s daughter, Nancy, were great friends in Virginia. Ian was getting out of active duty service in the Air Force and Reece recruited Ian to his firm, Callison Tighe. We came to look at houses in Columbia in the fall of 2017 and that was that. Reece and Nancy immediately started showing us around. We had the pleasure of going to Philharmonic rehearsals, the Sailing Club, South Carolina Bar events, their New Years day parties (with the best sage roasted pork I have ever had!), our children’s piano recitals, lunches at the House of Prayer, the firm Christmas party, and several brownie motivated visits with our adopted Columbia grandparents. I will miss his endless knowledge of begonias and South Carolina flora and fauna; Reece would share copies of "The Begonian" with me. 

Reece and Nancy gave our children, Lane and Margot, beautiful books like "The Dance of the Elephants" and "The Golden Cockerel". They doted on them with Audubon stuffed animals, ballerina figurines, and small busts of Mozart for recital good luck. Ian and I were not forgotten in the gift department. A few years back, Reece asked Ian if we would like a canoe. We assumed a sleek, lightweight canoe would soon be ours… what luck! However, when a solid steel behemoth of a canoe arrived we knew Reece had gotten us good! We have only had two dogs so far as a family and they are both named after treasured attorneys. Our current perfect Newfoundland is named Sweetie, after the legendary Reece Williams. 

We will forever be grateful to Reece and Nancy for getting us to move here. We will cherish the years we had with Reece and hope for many more with Nancy. 

Lots of love to the Williams family, Carolyn, Ian, Lane and Margot

My world is a sadder place without Reece to share it.  There are many others who could say the same thing about their relationship with this wonderful, kind, intelligent man.
Bert Goolsby

Dear Williams’ family, 

I never knew a world without Reece. I loved him like a father.  I will miss him so. 

Love,

Zoe Caroline

I was sorry to hear about Reece.  I met him many years ago when I would visit David Ewing and Mike Tighe at their office.   Reece got me interested in the Salvation Army, where we served together.  Reece was "one of the good guys" we all admired.

Reece was a wonderful mentor to me.  I first met him when we drove to Richmond together for a case we worked on when I was a lawyer at the SC Senate in 1992.  Later, he helped me when I went into private practice. He graciously helped me try my first civil case in Sumter, without any renumeration.  He was such a kind and moral person, and he inspired that in everyone who knew him.  He is one of the most generous lawyers I have ever known.  I'll miss him.

Reece and my husband Bill were friends and avid sailing buddies.  Both owned Helms 32 sailboats that were berthed side by side in the back cove of the Columbia Sailing Club.  It was Bill's boat--The Right Stuff--that they sailed in the spring and fall racing series.  Their goals were simply to have fun, enjoy ham and pimento cheese sandwiches, and "not to come in last."  It was an easy friendship between two good men of different backgrounds and professions, based on mutual respect and an understanding of the core values in life.  I will never forget Reece's visit the day of Bill's sudden death.  He had no words, none were needed as his sad face said it all.  He continued to honor their friendship by brokering the sale of The Right Stuff--it had to be hard for him, remembering the camaraderie that was no more.  In the years since, I have been grateful for the friendship of Reece and Nancy.  And I have no doubt that Bill has welcomed Reece above and shared Heaven's version of ham and pimento cheese sandwiches and "a good day to go sailing."
Louise Majors

A trial lawyer is a good story teller and Reece, you were both. Tell me the story again of the larger than life Sweet Daddy Grace confronting the hecklers on Hardin Street. Or the New York Police woman named Philomena on horseback. Or the escapades of Tootie Williams in the courtroom. Judge Alex Sanders used to say that a good story was like a good song. It bares repeating. Tell it again Reece.  It brings me such joy to hear your phrasing even though I know the outcome. Maybe there was even a kernel of truth buried deep. I will miss listening to you.
Countless cultural events i went to was because you and Nancy invited me. The Columbia Sailing Club. Or the South Carolina Philharmonic. Or a talk at Thomas Cooper Library.  You both enlarged my world. Oh, and thanks for the poetry books, the Shakespeare’s Sonnets, the history of McClellanville because you knew how much I love that place. And because you knew my father lived in China during the war you sent me stories about the Jews of Shanghai.  
Reece, you were a thoughtful and caring man.  I hope I told you thank you.

Once upon a time my family acquired a Jack Russell Terrier, or perhaps more aptly "Jack Russell Terrorist." One day soon after, my door bell rang, and there was Reece. He had not called, so for a moment I thought something might be wrong. But Reece had heard about the puppy and brought me a book on the Jack Russell Terrier breed and regaled me with stories of his own Jack Russell and others. It was a  combination of generosity, humor and graciousness. And that was Reece Williams. To the sunny slopes of long ago, amigo. Rest in peace.

Reece Williams was a Renaissance Man...and he was everything a lawyer should be.

Scottish Enlightenment philosopher Francis Hutchison wrote in a book found in Thomas Jefferson’s personal library that the greatest happiness in life is not achieving great wealth or engaging in hedonistic pleasure, but rather, doing for others. This allows us a better understanding of the Declaration of Independence’s greatest sentence as well as the  life of Reece Williams. 

As we read his obituary we note Reece’s humility and generosity. We see nothing about his professional achievements, the offices he held, the awards he won, and indeed, the awards named for him. We learn instead about his trips to California, including Nancy’s hometown of Mill Valley, with his grandchildren who all called him “Sweetie”. 

Reece was my great friend for over three decades. We often had lunch together. We took the Greatest South Carolinian, Judge Matthew Perry, with us sometimes and once to Charleston. He gave me a big heavy cast bronze tiger which still sits on my desk. Years later when I thanked him for it again, he told me it was “almost paid for”. 

I regret I never took him up on his offer to take me on a boat ride from the lower Saluda River to the mighty Congaree and all the way to Charleston. Same with his offer to take me to the Coon Dog show. 

We did have two great visits shortly before he left us, one that included his noble, brave and wonderful Nancy. Reece lived life in the words of Shakespeare “to the lees”. 

Joel Collins

A wonderful man in every way, with a wry smile and sense of humor. He was an interesting and entertaining storyteller, and always interested in what others had to say. Gail and I will miss Reese, who with Nancy, enriched our lives. Sail away good friend on your next adventure.

As with so many, I will miss this wonderful man.  He made the world a far better place.

I served with Reece on the board of the South Carolina Academy of Authors. I have to admit I was somewhat in awe of him. The shorter a meeting was, the better it was. Many was the time he’d finally grow impatient with all the discussion and abruptly call for a motion. I loved it…and him for doing it! Rest now, Reece, but keep an eye on those angels!

So sorry to hear about Reece.  What a great guy!  As a Court Reporter in Richland County, I had the opportunity to work with Reece on many occasions.  Fly high, Reece!! You will be missed.

I am so sorry to hear that Reese has passed away.  I remember the good ole YMCA days on Sumter Street and Reese's dry wit and sense of humor. It was such a pleasure to have known him. To Nancy and Reese's Family,  I will be praying for your comfort. Neil Derrick

Reece served on The Salvation Army of the Midlands Advisory board for 55 years, from 1971 up until his passing. He was a past chairman and life member. He rarely missed a meeting and was a staunch supporter of the Army and all its programs. Reece spearheaded multiple campaigns to raise funds and faithfully donated himself. In 2018 he sold a vintage Rolex that he’d bought in1965 after graduating law school and donated the funds to The Salvation Army. In 2023 he was instrumental in revitalizing our Woodyard Fund, which provides utility assistance to families in need during the colder months. This is just a snapshot of the countless ways Reece has helped the Army and those in his community needing a hand-up. Words are not enough to fully give him the credit he deserves. He was intelligent, kind, and could always make us laugh. He will be greatly missed by us all. We send our sincere condolences to Nancy and the rest of the family. Our prayers are with you.

Regards, 
The Salvation Army of the Midlands Staff & Advisory Board

Reece was one of my heroes. Still trying cases successfully in his 80s. I once foolishly asked him why. He seemed genuinely surprised by the question. “Why not?” He and I shared a love of Shakespeare but Reece was into far more than that. He could converse intelligently about almost anything, but never was a show off.  He loved opera, sailing, canoeing, history, bad jokes, poetry, you name it.  When I heard he had passed, I immediately thought of a line from Hamlet. Horatio remarked that Hamlet’s father was a “goodly king.” Hamlet replies, “He was a man. Take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again.”  That’s Reece. God Bless you Sir.

Reece was a great sailor and a great friend!  He and Nancy were amazing fixtures at Columbia Sailing Club , the overall community and beyond.  He will be deeply missed as his ongoing support reflected the true Corinthian spirit and his presence meant so much to all of us.  The front porch at the club will surely feel his loss as he and Nancy would drive up to the club just to have a hot dog with all of us. 

Thinking of Nancy and all Williams, 
Kind regards, Margaret Clarkson

Reece was an inspiration at the YMCA where he worked out regularly until a few months ago.  But the original connection was on the race course in sailboats where was a very talented but gentlemanly competitor.   I’ll miss him greatly - Nancy, our prayers are with you and family.

Reece and Nancy helped us raise our young daughters at Trinity Cathedral by warmly encouraging us to sit with them each week. Our girls would wiggle, drop papers, and whisper loudly during the service, and honestly, it seemed like both Reece and Nancy enjoyed it. Their consistent warmth and kindness made a lasting impression on all four of us, and we have continued to send them a Christmas card each year so they could watch our young girls mature into women whom they helped shepherd. Reece and Nancy led by example, and we were fortunate to have been part of their flock. 

Nancy, know that we are holding you in our prayers and that we are mourning the loss of sweet Reece. But, I have no doubt that Reece has been welcomed to trumpets blasting, angels singing, and glorious fanfare as Jesus declares, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" 

Love, Kathryn, Gene, Sara & Caroline Stuart

Reece and Nancy came in with their grandson. Reece always enjoyed his Salmon.  We sure do miss him!! 💙🩵

Reece was celebrating his Birthday  along with his friend Rick and staff.

Reece Williams was a man of great wisdom and possessed of a gentle and curious spirit. His life, both personal and professional, was the personification of integrity, civility and the pursuit of justice. He mentored countless young lawyers by his example and his easy manner. His courtroom appearances were master class tutorials. Reece was a lover of all things involving bibliology and was well read in a wide variety of disciplines. He has an amazing family of which he was beyond proud. He spoke often, with glowing admiration, of Nancy and his children and grandchildren. Words fail miserably in the effort remember the wonderful, full life of Reece Williams. He is joyfully now free to reconstitute the storied firm of Williams and Williams.

REECE was a  special man; his friendship meant a lot to me and many others. He will be missed. My sincere condolences to family & friends at this sad news today.  JOHÑ CAMP

OBITUARIO

Reece Williams III

2 marzo, 1937 – 18 enero, 2026

Dunbar Funeral Home (Devine)

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