A house RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF WILLIAM R. "BILLY" MCLEOD OF SUMTER, TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDs.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were deeply saddened by the passing of William R. "Billy" McLeod of Sumter on April 2, 2024, at the age of 93; and

Whereas, born in Sumter County on February 24, 1931, Billy McLeod was the son of the late Gilbert K. McLeod and the late Willie Sue Pierson McLeod; and

Whereas, at his passing, he had been in the grocery business since 1954 and owned multiple Piggly Wiggly grocery stores. In addition, for sixty-five years he was in the Black Angus cattle business and was the owner of Black Crest Farms; and

Whereas, writer Lindsay King authored a story about Billy McLeod's legacy in the Black Angus cattle business, revealing that he was full of those endearing jokes that were good-natured and fit for a man his age. He quipped, so Ms. King wrote, that he was born in a pickup truck on Main Street in Sumter and that he had no business ever buying cattle. He averred he started with just three of them more than half a century ago, leaving time for his herd to grow like crazy and giving him just what he needed to become the successful businessman his community will remember him as; and

Whereas, an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, he was also a lifetime member of the Gamecock Club; and

Whereas, Billy McLeod made a lasting impact on both the business world and the community at large in the Sumter area; and

Whereas, he leaves to cherish his memory three children, W.R. "Ricky" McLeod, Jr. (Sondra), of Manning, Gilbert Mark McLeod (Sandy) of Sumter, and Martha Melissa McLeod (Steve) of Sumter; six grandchildren, Becki McLeod, Will McLeod (Jill), Ashleigh Sommerville (Erik), John Skinner (Christine), Wade Skinner (Sarah), and Ezra McLeod; two stepsons, Robbie Jordan (Lisa) and Rodney Jordan (Sissy); and a host of other family members and friends. He will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of William R. "Billy" McLeod of Sumter, celebrate his life, and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family.

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