Donald W. Woolsey, Sr.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, February 15, 2021 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, 503 North Lake Drive, Lexington. Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m. (one hour prior to the service) at the funeral home. A private family inurnment will follow the memorial service.

Mr. Woolsey was born in Hillham, Indiana, son of the late Curtis A. Woolsey and Evelyn Bauernfeind Woolsey. He was a member of Lake Murray Baptist Church, Lexington. Mr. Woolsey was a U.S. Army Veteran who served in the Korean War. He was a 1958 graduate of Newberry College, where he had received a scholarship to play men’s basketball. His career included over 20 years in banking, six years in insurance and over ten years as a private business owner. He was affectionately known as Coach Woolsey to those he coached in boys’ basketball at Salley and Swansea high schools. Mr. Woolsey was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a dear friend to many.

Survivors include his wife, Gayle Bright Woolsey of the home; sons, Donnie (Karen) Woolsey of Gilbert, Tracy (Betty Jo) Woolsey of Willow Springs, NC, Matt (Marcus Marbert) Woolsey of Charleston, Tom (Leigh) Woolsey of Raleigh, NC, Jeff Woolsey of Bamberg, George “Benny” (Angie) Davis of Campobello; former wife, Virginia Riser Bowes of Bamberg; twelve grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; half-siblings, Delores Kunkel of Indiana, Jan Chapin of Tennessee and Gordon Phillips of New Jersey. He was predeceased by one grandson, two great-grandsons and three half-siblings.

Honorary Pallbearers: Chuck Vodry, Harold Causey, Tom Dudley, Darryl Merchant, Frankie Cooley, Wade Murdaugh, Ira Carney, Mike Bedenbaugh, Kevin Woolsey, Brian Woolsey and Brandon Rarick.

The family would like to thank the caregivers from Compassionate Care Hospice for their loving care and assistance during Don’s illness.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lake Murray Baptist Church, 1001 US 378, Lexington, SC 29072 or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at donate.lls.org.