Orris Franklin Bickley Jr.

Orris graduated from Irmo High School in 1951. He attended USC and Midlands College. Orris met Joan Shealy of Little Mountain, the love of his life, and they were married on May 5, 1956. They were blessed with two beautiful children, Wes and Cathy. They were also blessed with three grandchildren, Brandon Bickley, Courtney Bickley, and Harrison Brooks, and three great-grandchildren, Declan and Dalton Bickley, and Evelyn Brooks.

Orris retired as a personal manager from General Electric Company after 41 years. Earlier he had worked as an auditor with The State Tax Commission.

He and his family were members of Union United Methodist Church. Orris served in many roles in the church over the years. He sang in the choir, was an usher, and taught children and adult Sunday School lessons. Orris loved people and never met a stranger. He was proud to be awarded the Jimmy Leitner, Sr. award on June 9, 2019 at Union. Orris was a charter member of the Methodist Men at Union, organized in March 1959.

In the early years of his service, he served as a lay speaker and was assigned to churches without a pastor where he preached and led the services.

Orris coached young people’s teams in baseball and softball where he made lifelong friends. He loved golf and was a ranger at golf courses after his retirement. He was appointed and served as a commissioner on the Lexington County Election Commission. He served as a greeter at Dunbar Funeral Home in Irmo after his retirement.

Orris is survived by his wife, Joan of 68 years; son, Wes (Michelle) Bickley; daughter, Cathy (Jerry) Brooks; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and his sister, Eva Mae Monts.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Union United Methodist Church, with visitation following the service at the church. Burial will be held in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Union United Methodist Church, 7582 Woodrow Street, Irmo, SC 29063.