William L. Neal, III

          FLORENCE – William Lunsford Neal, III, 71, died Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at his residence after a brief illness.

          Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 25, 2024, at Calvary Baptist Church with visitation one hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Burial will follow in Florence Memorial Gardens, directed by Waters-Powell Funeral Home.

          William was born in Greenville, South Carolina, a son of the late William L. Neal, Jr., and Mary Cantrell Neal.  He graduated from Southside High School in Florence in 1971, and the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in 2002.  He began his career in law enforcement in 1996 with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office.  He retired in 2017 after 22 years of service.

          He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.  He made many friends as a softball umpire for women’s high school and AAA men’s softball. 

          He was an avid sports fan, specifically baseball.  In his younger years, he also enjoyed the game of golf.  But his most favorite sport to watch was any sport his grandkids were playing.  He was so proud of them.  His quick wit and strong sense of humor kept everyone smiling.  He was a friend to so many, especially his former co-workers with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and his softball umpiring buddies.  He never met a stranger.

          He enjoyed spending his retirement with Karen, his two girls and grandchildren!

          Surviving are his two daughters, Allyson Neal Anderson (Barrett) and Kaitlin Neal Gaster (Matthew), both of Florence; his girlfriend, Karen Frazier, and her grandson, Allen Collins, both of Piedmont, SC; five grandchildren, Chase Barrett Anderson, Emmy Jane Anderson, Bennett Harry Gaster, Beau Thomas Gaster, and Briggs Neal Gaster; four sisters, Janice Louise Neal and Mary Kate Neal, both of Williamston, SC, Kathy Neal Hicks (Raymond) and Lisa Neal Hall (Jeff), both of Florence; and two brothers, Vardry “Voddy” Lewis Neal of Florence and Franklin “Frank” Robert Neal (Renee) of Timmonsville; and a number of nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

          He was predeceased by two brothers, William Harold Neal and Stephen Cantrell Neal.

          Memorials may be made to the Florence County Sheriff’s Office Foundation at https://www.easterncarolinacf.org/give/donate/.

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