Charles William Aiken Jr.

Charles William "Penny" Aiken, Jr. of Greenville, South Carolina, passed away on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at age 90. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, he lived a life full of kindness, humor, and generosity, leaving a lasting impact on all who knew him.
Born in Columbia, South Carolina, Penny was the son of the late Charles William Aiken, Sr. and Lillian Wilson Aiken. After his mother's passing, he was also raised by his beloved stepmother, Marie Kinsey Aiken.
Charles married the love of his life, Marian Prevatte Aiken, with whom he shared more than 51 wonderful years before losing her to cancer. Together, they built a loving home and raised three children: Sharie A. Dale, Charles W. Aiken III (Kristin), and Christopher W. Aiken (Laura). He was a proud grandfather to Philip C. Klinck, Ethan M. Dale, James P. Aiken (Callie), Charles W. Aiken IV, and Patrick A. Aiken, and a great-grandfather to Perry C. Aiken.
Penny graduated from Columbia High School, where he excelled in athletics, lettering in football, basketball, and track. He was a member of The Les Truands, a high school fraternal club, and had the honor of serving as a Page in the South Carolina Senate for three years, sponsored by Senators Joe Berry, Yancey McLeod, and Spot Mizingo. He went on to attend the University of South Carolina, initially studying Education before shifting his focus to Electrical Engineering.
In 37 years with Simplex Time Recorder Company, Penny built a successful legacy, serving two years as Customer Engineering Manager before spending the next 35 years as Branch Manager. He was a dedicated professional who took pride in his work and treasured the relationships he built along the way.
A man of many interests, Penny was deeply involved in his community. He was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Walden Masonic Lodge, as well as the Hejaz Shrine Temple. He served on the board of the Bi-Lo Center as part of the Greenville Arena District and was an active member of the Pleasantburg Lions Club.
While he was affectionately known as Penny to his friends, he was "Mr. Poetry" to many due to his remarkable talent for memorization and recitation. He could recall more than 1,440 lines of poetry, and countless 1930s and '40s radio commercials. He published two poetry collections, A Penny for Your Thoughts (2015) and One Cent More (2016), sharing his love of words with the world. In recent years, he shared the gift of his poetry readings with retirement homes throughout Greenville County.
He never met a stranger and brought joy wherever he went. Whether greeting staff and customers at his favorite Bi-Lo store or chatting with neighbors in his yard, Penny had a gift for making people feel special. He kept his lawn pristine and took great pride in maintaining it himself, taking the opportunity to memorize poetry while mowing the grass.
Penny will be remembered not only for his warmth and humor but also for his abundant kindness and generosity. He was always there to lend a hand, share a laugh, or recite a poem, and he will be missed deeply.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2025, in the chapel of Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes Downtown, 639 N. Main St., Greenville, with visitation prior to the service from 10:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m.
A private entombment will be held at the Graceland East Memorial Park Mausoleum at the convenience of his family.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children by visiting https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/or a favorite charitable organization.
Condolences and your favorite memories of Penny may be shared with the family by clicking on the button labeled "Share A Memory".