Dr. William Ray Posey

COLUMBIA - Dr. William R. Posey (Bill) was welcomed home by his Lord and Savior on May 2, 2025 at age 90. He was born in Wagener, SC, and was the son of the late William and Evelyn Posey. He attended Clemson College and the University of South Carolina from which he received his BS Degree in 1957. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree (DDS) in 1961 from the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry. He completed his residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology from the United States Army Institute of Dental Research (USAIDR) and the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Walter Reed Medical Center in 1971, and a Master of Science in Health Care Administration from Central Michigan University.

Dr. Posey was predeceased by the love of his life, Miriam (wife of 52 years). He leaves a son, Dr. Mark Posey (Dr. Allaire) of Columbia; a daughter, Sue Jones (Troy) of Charlotte, NC and a son, Stephen Posey (Tammy) of Aiken, SC. He also leaves grandsons, Evan (Kristin) and Ryan Jones (Mariana), Nathan, Jonathan and Ben Posey and granddaughters, Emily Posey and Reagan and Kinsley Posey and one great-granddaughter, Avett Mae Jones. He was also predeceased by one grandson, Samuel Posey. He is also survived by siblings-in-law, Fran Carpenter, Michael and Barbara Togneri and Nancy and Curtis Hughes.

Dr. Posey retired from the United States Army in 1992 at the rank of Colonel following 30 years of active-duty service among numerous military assignments which include South Korea as Chief of the Dental Clinic; Assistant Chief of the Officer Training Branch, Dental Division, of the Army's Academy of Health Sciences. He was the Chief of the Oral Pathology services at Fort Benning, GA; Program Director of the U.S. Army Dental Research Division and Surgical Research at the Medical Research and Development Command, Washington, DC. He was the Director of the Oral Pathology Residency Program and Chief of the Division of Pathology and Surgery, USAIDR. During his Washington, DC assignments, he was an Adjunct Professor in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology at Georgetown University School of Dentistry, Howard University School of Dentistry and George Washington University. In 1981-83 he returned to Korea as the Commander of the Dental Activities of the 8th U.S. Army followed by an assignment as Commander of the Fort Jackson Dental Activity from 1983 to 1986. He served as Commander of the Dental Activity at Fort Gordon and retired from the Army as the Commander/Director of the U.S. Army Institute of Dental and Maxillofacial Research, Washington, DC.

During his military tenure, Dr. Posey received numerous awards, including Fellow of the American Academy of Oral Pathology, member of the International College of Dentists and the American College of Dentists. He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and was the Consultant to the Office of the Surgeon General for Oral Pathology and Dental and Maxillofacial Research. He was the recipient of the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal, various service medals, Order of Military Merit and the "A" Professional Designator for outstanding work in the field of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.

In post-retirement, from 1993 until his second retirement in 2022, he was employed by Midlands Technical College as adjunct faculty with the Allied Dental Education Program where he diagnosed radiographs, taught Oral Pathology, and served as a clinic supervisor. He was incredibly devoted and dedicated to his students. It brought him great joy to see them succeed.

Throughout his life, Dr. Posey was actively involved in his church where he served as Deacon, Elder, Congregational President and in service to his Lord and his fellow man. He was also a member of the Gideons International and served as Chaplain of the Columbia East Camp. He also served several years as Provincial Elder of Iglesia Biblica Latino America (IBL).

Visitation is on Monday, May 5, 2025 at Dunbar Funeral Home (3926 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Services for Dr. Posey (Colonel, U.S. Army, Ret.) will be held at Centennial Presbyterian Church (1413 Laurel Street, Columbia SC 29201) on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be private with the family at Fort Jackson National Cemetery on Friday, May 16, 2025.

The family would like to acknowledge with great gratitude the amazing care our beloved father received from NHC Parklane in his last year of life. He was and always will be deeply loved and adored by his family and it brought us untold comfort to know he was cared for so kindly and compassionately.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Centennial Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (1413 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC 29201), Gideons International (Columba East Camp, P.O. Box 23223, Columbia, SC 29229-3223), Oliver Gospel Mission (1100 Taylor Street, Columbia, SC 29201), IBL, Sherwood Forest ARP Church - 4325 Wilmot Avenue, Columbia, SC., or the charity of one’s choice.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.