Ralph Z Boroughs

Ralph “Zig” Zeigler Boroughs, of Pickens, passed away Friday September 15, 2017, at Cannon Memorial Hospital, with his wife Mary Jennings Boroughs (nee Dougherty) at his side. He was born June 22, 1923, the son of Ralph Waldo Boroughs, of Pickens, and Zoe Boroughs (nee Zeigler) of Orangeburg County, SC. Zig was raised in Pickens. He attended Columbia Bible College and the Citadel. In WWII he served with the U.S. Army’s 508th Paratrooper Regiment, 82nd Airborne, in Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge. After the war he served as a public school teacher and administrator in upstate South Carolina, a Baptist minister in upstate New York, and a professor at Lander University. He earned an A.B. from Furman University, a B.D. from New Orleans Theological Seminary, a M.Ed. from Clemson University, and a doctorate from the University of Georgia. Zig was a “people person” who loved to visit and tell stories, but would also listen to and remember other’s stories. In 1987 Zig published his first book, “A Privates Eye View of World War II”, containing mostly personal recollections from the War years. Later he gathered stories from other members of his unit, and published their stories in two volumes: “The Devil’s Tale, stories of the 508th Red Devils” (1992) and “The 508th Connection” (2004). Although he was proud of his military service, and loved his fellow soldiers, he was not one to glorify war. He often said “war is Hell”. Zig loved God and his church. He prayed often for others, and loved singing, both hymns and secular music. He was an avid gardener and bird watcher. He also loved Pickens, its people and the hills around it. He had a special place in his heart for Table Rock. Survivors include his wife, four daughters, Elizabeth Burgess of Bremerton WA, Zoe Fechner (Martin) of Oradell NJ, Helen Kellogg (Mark) of Severna Park MD, Roslyn Bahumian (Vrezh) of Falls Church VA, and son Ralph Dougherty Boroughs (Connie) of Chattanooga TN, 16 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. He was predeceased by daughter Virginia Ruth Dwyer (Terry). The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday September 22, 2017, at Dillard Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday September 23, 2017, at Pickens Presbyterian Church.