Sr. William Fredric "Will" Pope

William "Will" Fredric Pope, Sr., 72, of Winnsboro, SC passed away on Monday, December 16, 2024. Born in Columbia, SC, he was the son of the late Lewis Carroll and Edith Porter Pope, Sr. of Winnsboro.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Patsy "Pattie" Barfield Pope; daughter, Edith "Edie" Claire Pope; son, William "Willy" Fredric Pope, Jr. (Ashley); and three grandchildren, Konnor Joseph Washington; William "Liam" Fredric Pope, III, and Avery Jane Pope. Along with his wife, children, and grandchildren, Will loved his nieces and nephews and held a particularly special bond with his nephew, Tanner Pope.
Will was a graduate of Winnsboro High School, Class of 1970. Known to his teammates and lifelong friends as "Buff", he went on to play football for the Western Carolina University Catamounts. After school, he worked at Westvaco Corporation cruising and selling timber before returning to Winnsboro to help run Pope Oil Company, the family business, with his father, his beloved Uncle John Pope, and cousin Bobby Pope. Will went on to serve his hometown proudly as a Fairfield County Magistrate for 19 years-12 of those years as Chief Magistrate before retiring in 2019.
In 1974, Will married the love of his life, Pattie Barfield Pope. Together, they built a life full of love, laughter, and adventure which they shared abundantly with friends and family. Will occasionally reminisced about the little girl with strawberry curls and freckles he first saw running across Drawdy Park at 8 years old-it was as if his heart knew then that she would be the one to walk beside him through life. Their bond was an example of enduring love, and their shared memories were the foundation of the family they nurtured together.
As a devoted son, husband and father, proud GDaddy, loyal uncle and friend, Will was best known for his quick wit, unshakable strength, and an unwavering dedication to his family's legacy. His sharp sense of humor, generosity, and steady presence will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Will never met a stranger. He had a unique gift for connecting with people from all walks of life and making everyone feel welcomed. His ability to relate to others was one of his greatest strengths. Whether through a wise word, a hearty laugh (sometimes at your expense), or a genuine act of service, Will made a lasting impression on everyone he encountered.
Will's most cherished memories were made outdoors-whether it was hunting and fishing at the WET site, teaching his children to ride a horse, build a fence, or tend to the land and animals on the Pope Home Place. His love for the land and the lessons he passed down to his children and grandchildren were the foundation of his legacy. He instilled in them not only the importance of hard work and perseverance, but also the value of spending time together and building bonds that would last a lifetime. Summers were also a special time for Will. You could often find him pulling his children, nieces, nephews and friends behind his boat on 'The River'. These carefree days on the water were filled with laughter and the kind of memories that only he could create.
It was Will's greatest dream to see his grandchildren grow up with the same devotion to God, country, and family that he so deeply cherished. He worked tirelessly to instill these values, ensuring that his legacy of love, faith, and patriotism would live on through them for generations to come.
In addition to his parents, Will is predeceased by two brothers, Reverend L. Carroll Pope, Jr. (CAPT. RET. USMC) and Colonel John P. Pope (USAF, Ret.).
A graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm Friday, December 20, 2024, at Lebanon Presbyterian Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends after the service at the Pope home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Lebanon Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund or St. Jude's Children Hospital.
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