William Miller Clingempeel

Florence- Mr. William M. Clingempeel, age 86, passed away on the 16th of February, 2015 after an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at Pisgah United Methodist Church at 3:30 PM on Friday, February 20. Visitation will be at 2:30 PM in the sanctuary. Burial with full military honors will follow at Florence Memorial Gardens directed by Waters-Powell Funeral Home.

Mr. Clingempeel was born in Philadelphia, PA, and was the son of the late Leroy Smith Clingempeel and Louella Lynman Clingempeel. He was a graduate of Brookville High School and Virginia Commercial College both in Lynchburg, VA, where he lived for many years prior to locating to Florence, SC with the General Electric Mobile Radio Department. He was a veteran of World War II, The Korean Conflict, and served in the US Navy, US Army Air Corps, and US Air Force receiving honorable discharges from all branches. He also served proudly as a member of the 6th Crash Boat Rescue Squadron, which assisted in the recovery of the crew of the 373 Hurricane Hunters aircraft which crashed off the Island of Bermuda. Mr. Clingempeel was a patriot and a hero to those he was honored to serve with and to all who recognized his contributions to our country.

Mr. Clingempeel retired from the General Electric Company after 34 years of service. He held many positions including Manager of Planning and Methods, Manager of Processes and Equipment, and Manager of Shop Operations. He also held several individual contributor positions and was widely considered within the company as the expert on the subject of Motion Time Survey, a GE labor measurement system. He presented many papers on this subject and presented at many national conferences. Mr. Clingempeel was instrumental in the use of time lapse photography movie equipment, designed to study and measure work effort. His contributions to General Electric continued as a member of the General Electric ELFUN Society, which he presided over as President.

Mr. Clingempeel was active in the Lynchburg community, serving as President of his childrens Parent Teacher Association and coaching Little League football and baseball teams. He also served as Den Master for the local Cub Scout troop.

He was a member of Pisgah United Methodist Church for over 40 years and served in numerous roles including Administrative Board Chairman, Lay Leader, Worship Committee and Ushering Chairman. He was a Past President of the Swamp Fox Striders running club and was active in the club for over 20 years. He was a member of the Palmetto Lake Corporation, serving as Treasurer and several years as President.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Anna A. Clingempeel; a son, William Glenn Clingempeel; a daughter, Julie Clingempeel Smith-Koon; and his grandchildren, Joel Aaron Clingempeel and Shaina Allisa Clingempeel.

In addition to his grandmother, Elizabeth Maude Clingempeel, he was preceded in death by his brother, Leroy Smith Clingempeel, and many beloved friends and family members.

Memorials should be made to Pisgah United Methodist Building Fund or to the Florence Area Humane Society.

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