William Bernard Lighty Jr.

William Bernard Lighty, Jr., affectionately known as "Nard", transitioned on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, peacefully at MUSC Health in Florence, South Carolina surrounded by his family. Mr. Lighty was born on June 13, 1972, in Bishopville, South Carolina, a son of William Lee "Pete" Lighty and The Late Mother Rowdell Pompey Lighty.
William was educated in the Darlington County Public School System and honed the trade of an amazing Diesel mechanic in Columbia, South Carolina for many years. He was employed as a Team leader with the Tractor Supply Company in Columbia, South Carolina as well as a Team Leader with Communications Test Design in Gastonia, North Carolina. He exemplified a great sense of excellence while working on every one of his jobs because he possessed the quality to simply lead others and provoke them to get the job done professionally.
In his early childhood years, he was a member of the Sandy Bluff United Methodist where he participated in the Sunbeam choir, Sunday school, and Vacation Bible School. In his adult years, he became a member of the Cypress United Apostolic Church under the leadership of Bishop Otis Holloman. He participated with the Men's Ministry and the kitchen committee as his favorite cousins/sisters, Nikki Holloman, and Valerie Pitts would often draft him to serve. He also served on the Usher Board with his mother, Mother Rowdell P. Lighty in which they both were very proud and happy being a "doorkeeper" as they would often say. He was a Second Degree Fellow Craft of the Masonic Order of Acaia Lodge #4 of Charlotte, North Carolina.
William was affectionately known as Nard but also known as Lil Pete, Big Boy, Sexxy B but most importantly as "Lightening Bug" given to him by his big sister whom he affectionately called "Pumpkin Seed" and "Boss". But most of all he was called friend because he did not mind lending a helping hand to anyone who needed it. Just like his big sister, he loved the Las Vegas Raiders, the Lakers, and the Miami Hurricanes win or lose. William was a great trash talker in a fun way to so many people that if you were ever in his presence, you were sure to get a good LOL before you left. He was an absolute joy to be around and considered himself to be the life of any party, church event or just sitting around the house enjoying life. He will be missed greatly.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Rowdell Pompey Lighty, his maternal grandparents, Woodrow and Maydell Pompey, his paternal grandparents, Fleetwood and Bertha Lighty, and his only brother, Woody Lighty and his aunts, Kathleen Lighty and Malak Bey.
William Bernard Lighty, Jr., is survived by his three children, Brierra Tanee Lighty, William Bernard Lighty, III, and Ta'niya Camille Lighty all of Columbia, SC; his granddaughter, Amiri Zanay McGoogan of Columbia, SC; a bonus son, Twyzae McGoogan; his father, William Lee "Pete" Lighty of Bishopville, SC; his sister, Chaplain Michelle Pompey of Hartsville, SC; his bonus grandmother, Mother Fronza Pooler of Lamar, SC; his bonus mom/auntie, Mamie Edwards of Hartsville, SC; his aunts, Mattie Lighty Burris of Sumter, SC, Bertha Lighty Hunter of Anderson, SC, Barbara Lighty of Darlington, SC, and Cynthia Lighty of Hartsville, SC; his uncles, Wilfred Lighty of Columbia, SC, Larry Lighty of Charleston, SC, and Charles Lighty of Pinwood, SC; two special friends and mothers of his beautiful children, Letitia Warren and Tasha Grooms both of Columbia, SC; special older cousins whom he honored as aunties and uncles, Cleo Davis, Ertha Holloman, and Luvenia Nelson all of Bishopville, SC, Elder Deloris Dukes of Hartsville, SC, Bishop Otis and Patricia Holloman and James Huggins all of Lamar, SC; special cousins who he loved as sisters and brothers, Nikki Holloman, Ishmael Holloman, Valerie Pitts, Salina Wright, Helen Gist, Maurice Ellis, Donald Edwards, Tycie Sellers, Harold Huggins, Lorraine Nelson, Robert Huggins, II., Minnie and Kimberly Huggins; special friends who he loved as sisters and brothers, Veronica Roberson, Candy and Fred Kennedy; a bonus niece, Tyler Johnson; a bonus aunt, Modestine "Mollie" Lugay; a very special family he loved dearly, the Warren/Sizer family; a special lady who spoiled him with many hot meals through the years, Naomi Grooms and many other dear cousins, friends, and relatives.