South Carolina General Assembly
123rd Session, 2019-2020

Download This Bill in Microsoft Word format

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

H. 5144

STATUS INFORMATION

House Resolution
Sponsors: Reps. B. Newton, Norrell and Yow
Document Path: l:\council\bills\rm\1459sd20.docx

Introduced in the House on February 12, 2020
Adopted by the House on February 12, 2020

Summary: William Brooks Sumner, Jr.

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

     Date      Body   Action Description with journal page number
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   2/12/2020  House   Introduced and adopted (House Journal-page 26)

View the latest legislative information at the website

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

2/12/2020

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A HOUSE RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF WILLIAM BROOKS SUMNER, JR., OF LANCASTER 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 to learn of the passing of William Brooks Sumner, Jr., of Lancaster on February 4, 2020, at the venerable age of seventy-seven; and

Whereas, born October 15, 1942, in Union, Bill Sumner was a son of William Brooks Sumner, Sr., and Etta Ward Sumner. A lifelong public servant, he served in multiple roles over five decades, and a thread ran through his various careers as a soldier, police chief, lay pastor, city council member, and school board member: He understood connecting with people; and

Whereas, the Sumner family came to Lancaster from Union in 1972 when Bill was hired by the city police department as its first community relations officer. During his twenty-three years with the department, Bill worked his way up the ranks and in 1985 was named police chief, a position at which he served for ten years prior to his retirement. He taught that a strong relationship between citizens and law enforcement was the best tool at an officer's disposal; and

Whereas, after retiring as police chief, Bill Sumner was named interim director of the Lancaster Children's Home. One of the home's most ardent fundraisers and supporters, he also served as its director of development for sixteen years. Bill was recognized in 2010 for his dedicated service to Lancaster Children's Home when its girls' building was named the Sumner Cottage in his honor; and

Whereas, in 2002, Bill was elected to Lancaster City Council and served for several years. In November 2010, he was elected to the county school board during a special election. Reelected to represent District 4 in 2012 and again in 2016, he was a current board member at his passing; and

Whereas, as a member of the South Carolina National Guard, this patriotic American was deployed overseas during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm; and

Whereas, because he believed strongly in active participation in the community, Bill was a member of Lunch Time Rotary (thirty-two years, Paul Harris Fellow) and Jackson Masonic Lodge #53. He was also a lifetime member of the South Carolina Police Chiefs Association, which he twice served as president; and

Whereas, a man of faith, Bill Sumner was a member of Wade Memorial Presbyterian Church but also served as a lay pastor, ministering to churches in Lancaster and Chester counties; and

Whereas, Bill Sumner leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife of fifty-seven years, Virginia Allen Sumner of Lancaster; a son, Ken "Bighouse" Sumner, and his wife, Dawn, of Florence; a daughter, Casey S. Cato, and her husband, Jeff, of Lancaster; a sister, Shirley Burnett of Union; five grandchildren, Joshua Cato, Jonathan Cato, Jacob Cato, Kathleen Sumner, and Lee Mozingo; and a host of other family members and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. 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 Brooks Sumner, Jr., of Lancaster and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mrs. Virginia Allen Sumner for the family.

----XX----


This web page was last updated on February 18, 2020 at 11:36 AM