William "Bill" Prince

After 72 years of loving his family and loving life, William (Bill) Riley Prince of North Myrtle Beach unexpectedly passed away at Grand Strand Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, SC on June 10th, 2025.

Bill was born on November 7th, 1952, in Williamson, West Virginia to his loving parents, Lola Marie Marcum-Prince and William Prince. He grew up in the hills of West Virginia - a place that no matter where he went in life, he always called home. After the premature death of his parents, he was raised by his maternal grandmother, Effie Marcum. He graduated from Williamson High School. After graduation, he started his 30 year career as an electrician for Peabody Coal Mines, which is where he retired at the age of 55.

To celebrate his retirement, he went on a cross-country motorcycle trip with his best friend, Darrel Bias. Bill moved from West Virginia to South Carolina where he cherished his participation in various bowling leagues and his weekly golf games with special friends, Don, Mo, and Jerry. He also loved dancing. He was the life of any party and never met a stranger. He was an avid traveler, especially enjoying trips with his loving wife, Linda Gaskins, who he recently married after 9 happy years together. Together they traveled to many places including US National Parks, Hawaii, Europe, and a number of cruises. He cherished time with his children and grandchildren and was especially proud to become a great grandfather with the birth of Asher in April.

In addition to his grandparents and parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Howard Lee Prince.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Gaskins of North Myrtle Beach; daughter, Katie Tharp (Eddie) of Beckley, West Virginia; granddaughters, Faith, Grace, and Belle Tharp and Nicole Gross; great-grandson, Asher Fondas; step-son, Ron Gaskins (Alexandra) of Wausau, Wisconsin; step-daughter, Rhonda Gaskins of Clarkton, step-grandchildren, Emma Eller, Noah, Luke, Jacob, and Benjamin Gaskins.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, June 13th from 2-3 pm at Bladen-Gaskins Funeral Home (3131 MLK Drive, Elizabethtown, NC). A funeral will immediately follow the visitation at 3 pm in the chapel of Bladen-Gaskins Funeral Home. His burial will follow at Bladen Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society in honor of his granddaughter, Grace, who is a cancer survivor.