W. Goldfinch Obituary

GOLDFINCH, JR., W. CONWAY - William McTyeire "Mac" Goldfinch, Jr., age 82, died Wednesday, February 13, 2008. Mr. Goldfinch was born in Conway, SC on November 29, 1925, a son of the late William McTyeire and Ruth Rheuark Goldfinch. He was a graduate of Conway High School in 1942, attended Clemson University for one year and, after military service, graduated from Wofford College in 1949 with a BA Degree in Economics and Business. Mac entered the US Army in 1944, served in the European Theater for two years with the 99th Infantry Division. He received the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Bronze Star Medal, two campaign stars and two Presidential Unit Citations. He was one of the veterans who returned to Belgium and Germany in December, 1969 to join with German veterans in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of The Battle of the Bulge. Mac joined the family business in June, 1949 and managed the furniture division of Goldfinch's, Inc. until January, 1959. From 1959 until his retirement, he co-managed Goldfinch Funeral Home and Hillcrest Cemetery, Inc. After being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, he retired from active funeral service and formed the first Parkinson's Support Group on the Grand Strand. He began a newsletter and was speaker at many organizations urging support of persons with this disability. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church for many years where he served as a member of the Administrative Board, Past President of the Methodist Men's Club, Member of Adult Choir and soloist, and a past member of the Board of Trustees of the Methodist Home in Orangeburg. After moving to Garden City, he became a member of Belin United Methodist Church. During his business career in funeral service, Mac served as President of the SC Funeral Directors Association in 1974-1975, and as District Governor of National Funeral Directors Association from 1975-1978. Also, a member and officer of the Pee Dee Area Funeral Directors Association, member of National Funeral Directors Association, and a member of Selected Independent Funeral Directors. He was also a member and past Secretary of the SC Cemetery Association, past member of Southern Cemetery Association and National Association of Cemeteries. He was a member of the Conway Lions Club for more than 25 years, and was secretary for many of those years. He also served on the District Governor's Cabinet for Lionism in SC and was inducted into the SC Lion's Hall of Fame and chosen as SC Lion of the Year. He was the recipient of two national awards from EBAA, the Leonard Heise Award to the most outstanding laymen in eye banking on the national level and the first Gift of Sight Award for the funeral service professional making the greatest contribution to eye banking. Mac was always active in the civic life of Conway. He was a Charter Member of the Conway Jaycees and an officer. He served as President of the Conway Merchant and Businessmen's Association in 1954-1955 and later when the name was changed as President of Conway Chamber of Commerce in 1967-1968. During his tenure as President of the Chamber he received the Sixth Naval District Distinguished Service Award in July, 1968 for his work with that group in the hosting of NATO Naval Officers while in this country for Naval Mine Warfare training. He was organizing President of the Conway Area United Fund (later United Way) in 1963-1964. He was active and served on the board of the Salvation Army and Mercy Hospice for many years. Also, a past member of the Coastal Community Chorus. He received the LaVerne S. Creel Lifetime Achievement Award from the Conway Chamber of Commerce in 2000. Surviving are one son, Stephen Lewis Goldfinch, Aynor; two daughters, NellaRuth Goldfinch Snipes, Surfside, Page G. Maxwell, and her husband, Rich; one daughter-in-law, Dianne S. Goldfinch, Conway; seven grandchildren, Rome Snipes, William M. Goldfinch, IV, Jessica Goldfinch, Stephen L. Goldfinch, Jr., April Smith, Richard Maxwell, Sarah Page Maxwell; one great granddaughter, Ashleigh Smith. He was pre-deceased by his wife of 51 years, Maribel Lewis Goldfinch, and one son, Will M. Goldfinch, III. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday from First United Methodist Church in Conway with Rev. Mac Kinnett and Rev. Thomas N. Brittain officiating. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 - 7 PM Friday at the Conway Chapel of Goldfinch Funeral Home. Those so desiring may send memorials to Mercy Hospice and Palliative Care, PO Box 50640, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579, or Music Fund, First United Methodist Church, 1001 Fifth Avenue, Conway, SC 29526. Sign a guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com. GOLDFINCH FUNERAL HOME, CONWAY CHAPEL, is in charge of arrangements. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.