William George Besley

COLUMBIA - William George (Bill) Besley died to this life and entered into heaven on Saturday, November 24, 2018, after courageously living with cancer for four years. A service to the Glory of God and to celebrate Bill’s life will be held on Sunday, December 2nd, 2018, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC at 2:30 p.m. Burial will take place immediately following the Eastminster service at Elmwood Cemetery, 501 Elmwood Avenue. A casual visitation will be held the evening prior, December 1st, from 3-5 p.m. at the family home.

Bill is survived by his wife of 28 years, Sharon Plyler Besley, and his beloved children, William George Besley, Jr., and Caroline Dolores Besley. In addition to his wife and children, Bill is survived by his sisters and brothers in law, Barbara and Denny Bracey, and Joan and Frank Revson, his brother and sister in law, Bob and Sandy Besley, his father in law, John L. Plyler, Jr., brother in law, John Plyler III, Uncle, Fred Besley, and many nieces and nephews and extended family. Bill was predeceased by his parents, Dolores and Robert Besley, his mother in law, Caroline Williams Plyler, and his brother in law, James Williams Plyler.

Bill lived life with kindness, humor, loyalty, faith and strength. Bill was born on April 14, 1964 in College Park, Maryland, to his loving parents and siblings. The family moved to Columbia when Bill was in elementary school. Bill graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1982 and from Presbyterian College in 1986, excelling in academics and tennis. While at Presbyterian College, Bill was a two-time Academic All-American, All-American in Tennis, president of Kappa Alpha Fraternity, and Magna Cum Laude graduate.

In 1989 Bill graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law, and he practiced law in Columbia for 28 years. He was a founding partner and shareholder of Howser, Newman and Besley, LLC, with a principal focus in litigation defense. Bill was held in the highest regard by colleagues and clients, served in leadership roles in the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association and was named one of the top attorneys in South Carolina by South Carolina Super Lawyers each year from 2010 to 2018. In addition to his devotion to his family and his profession, Bill continued to enjoy tennis and play competitively throughout his life.

Those who choose to honor Bill with a charitable donation may wish to consider one of the following: Eastminster Presbyterian Church (3200 Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC, 29204), Downtown Church (1415 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201), Presbyterian College Men’s Tennis Program (503 S. Broad St., Clinton, SC 2932), or the Medical University of South Carolina Foundation to support the research of Dr. John Wrangle at The Hollings Cancer Center (MUSC Foundation for Hollings Cancer Center, 18 Bee Street, MSC 450, Charleston, SC 29425).

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.