William "Will" Benjamin Hair Jr.

William Benjamin Hair Jr. was born March 23, 1932, in Summerville, Georgia, to Dr. William Benjamin Hair Sr. and Emma Holbrook Sydelman. He grew up in Summerville, the small northwest Georgia town that would remain an important part of his life for nearly 70 years.

Will graduated from Darlington School for Boys in Rome, Georgia, in 1950 and went on to attend the University of Georgia, graduating in 1954 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. He particularly enjoyed his college years and his time in the Kappa Alpha fraternity, where he accumulated more than a few stories of youthful mischief. Those stories, like many of the stories he collected throughout his life, were frequently retold to his children.

While at UGA, Will enrolled in ROTC and, following graduation, served in the U.S. Army at Fort Knox and later in Mainz, Germany. Those were memorable years for a young Army officer, and he loved telling his children about the adventures and experiences of his time overseas. After returning to the United States, he continued his military career in the Army Reserve and ultimately retired as a Captain.

Following the death of his father, Will returned to Summerville to help care for his mother. Looking for a job, he first went to the local bank, where he was promptly told there was no position available. Being told the school might be hiring, he walked across the street to the local junior high school. They happened to need a seventh-grade teacher. That chance encounter began a 38-year career in education.

Once settled back in Summerville, Will convinced Judith Dent Clarke of Columbia, South Carolina, to marry him and move to Summerville with him in 1959. For the next 35 years, they raised their family among the mountains and farmland of Chattooga County.

Will and Judy had three children, William Benjamin Hair III (Bonnie Pierce), Margaret “Peggy” Hair Alford (Tim Alford), and Edward Clarke Hair (Amy Beth Hair).

Will was a “super supporter” of his children and their activities. He could regularly be found in the stands or along the sidelines at football, tennis, baseball, and cheerleading events. He was there because that was simply what he did—he showed up.

Summers were often spent traveling the country in the family station wagon—think the Griswolds in National Lampoon’s Vacation. The family also spent many summers exploring Europe, visiting ancient cities, museums, and art galleries, exposing his children to a world far beyond their small Georgia community. His curiosity about the world, and his willingness to explore it, encouraged his children to seek bigger adventures of their own and to thrive in the larger world.

Will's career in education grew well beyond the classroom. He earned a master's degree in vocational education and, in 1969, became the Vocational Supervisor at Chattooga County Comprehensive High School. The 25 years he spent as Vocational Supervisor were among the proudest years of his professional life. During that time, he was often able to secure as much as a million dollars a year in federal grants for the school and the surrounding community.

His work coincided with the Great Society programs of President Lyndon Johnson, and Will was proud of his ability to bring new educational and vocational opportunities to Chattooga County through federal funding. He believed strongly in the value of education and in giving young people opportunities to build productive and fulfilling lives.

His commitment to Chattooga County extended well beyond his professional responsibilities. During his years in Summerville, he served in numerous community organizations and leadership positions. His family used to joke that you could always find Dad's picture in the Summerville News each week—and often more than one picture.

Among the positions he held were:

• Member and officer of the Northwest Georgia Economic Authority

• Member of the Summerville City Council from 1960 to 1964

• President of the Summerville Junior Chamber of Commerce

• Active member, including President, of the Summerville-Trion Rotary Club

• Board member of the First National Bank of Chattooga County

• Member of Summerville Presbyterian Church, where he served as an Elder, Deacon, and treasurer

• Commissioner for Cherokee Presbytery to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church

Will's retirement years were almost as long as his working career. He retired from Chattooga High School in 1994 and enjoyed 32 years of retirement with his beloved wife, Judy. Will’s dedication to Judy was steadfast throughout his life. During the early years of retirement, Will and Judy discovered a shared passion for antiques. What began as a hobby soon became a full-time labor of love. They regularly traveled up and down the East Coast, always ending up in Maine, searching for interesting and unusual pieces to sell in their shop, Cherokee Antiques, on Main Street in Summerville. Maine became an annual trip where they spent time with Will’s cousin, Bob Gillham and his wife Evelyn. They also enjoyed spending time at their beloved fish camp on Prong Pond.

They made regular trips to Atlanta for Scott's Monthly Antique Market and spent month-long visits with dear friends in Cheltenham, England, where they continued to hunt for unique treasures to bring home. Cherokee Antiques became much more than a business. It was an extension of their love of travel, history, people, and the thrill of finding something special.

In 2008, Will and Judy moved to Columbia, South Carolina, Judy's hometown and the home of their daughter, Peggy, so they could be closer to their grandchildren. They joined Shandon Presbyterian Church and became active members of the church community.

In Columbia, Will embraced his role as grandfather with the same enthusiasm he had brought to being a father. He was able to watch Peggy's children, Robb and Benjaman, grow through high school and college and, once again, could be found at sporting events and other activities, cheering them on and offering his support. He also traveled regularly to Atlanta to spend time with Clarke’s children Kristin and Eli.

Throughout his 94 years, Will built a life filled with family, faith, education, service, travel, and an enduring curiosity about the world around him. He loved telling stories about his life, and he had accumulated plenty of them—stories from the Army, from his years in education, from family trips, from the antique business, and from the many people he met along the way.

He leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Judy; his three children, William, Peggy, and Clarke; and four grandchildren, Robb, Benjaman, Kristen, and Eli. He was blessed to share many decades with his family and to be an active part of the lives of his children and grandchildren.

He was also blessed by two vibrant and engaging church communities, Summerville Presbyterian Church of Chattooga County Georgia and Shandon Presbyterian Church in Columbia South Carolina.

Dad often said that he had lived a blessed life.

He was right.

He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by his family, friends, former students, colleagues, and the many people whose lives he touched throughout his long and remarkable life.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to Shandon Presbyterian Church, 607 Woodrow Street, Columbia SC 29205.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 2:00 pm at Shandon Presbyterian Church, Columbia SC with a reception immediately following in Davis Hall at the Church.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.