Mr. Willis H. Jenkins Sr.

Willis Hollomon Jenkins, Sr., "Red," 92, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 3, 2025, at Prisma Health Richland. Born June 8, 1933, in Glenmora, Louisiana, he was the son of the late Willis Jenkins and Irma Smith Jenkins.

Red proudly served in the United States Navy during the Korean War from August 1952 to July 1956 and continued his service in the U.S. Navy Reserves until July 1960.

Following his military career, he earned an associate degree from Midlands Technical College and later retired from RC Motor Lines as a Diesel Mechanic.

A man of many passions, Red loved fishing, hunting, and, most of all, spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He delighted in entertaining family and friends- especially with his famous Donald Duck voice. His life was also marked by deep commitment to his church and fraternal organizations. He was a devoted 20-year member of McColl Presbyterian Church, a 58-year member of Dentsville Masonic Lodge, and a member for over 50 years of Dentsville Chapter #273, Order of the Eastern Star. He also served as a former Advisory Board Member for Dentsville Assembly #40, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls.

Red is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Betty Jane McGuirt Jenkins, the love of his life. He is also survived by his children, Willis H. Jenkins, Jr. (Lynette), Gale Jenkins Reese (Jerry), N. Craig Jenkins (Della), and Pamela Jenkins Bergen; grandchildren, Amy Reese Perrine (Jon), Willis H. Jenkins III (Mary Anne), Heather Vardell, Wayne E. Brown, Jr. (Monica), Matthew Jenkins (Amanda), David Reese, Kimberly Shealy (Jared), and Charles Cole Vardell, Jr., Jared Bergen(Syndee), Andrew Bergen(Gabriela); great-grandchildren, Chandler Wise, Caitlin Jenkins, Summer Brown, Devin Johnson, Valerie Jenkins, Brayden Hicks, Erica Johnson, Jase Shealy, Leona Perrine, Jonathan W. Perrine, Jr., Jackson Urdahl, Dallas Shealy, Kailey Grace Jenkins, Henry Perrine, Autumn Shealy, Brandon DeVaney (Chelsea), Bradley DeVaney, Alex DeVaney, Pepper Bergen, Sophie Bergen, Quill Bergen and Cooper Bergen.

He is also survived by his brother Carl "Pug" Jenkins, his sister Sharon Kaye Scheuermann, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Active Pallbearers will be Matthew P. Jenkins, Charles Cole Vardell, David L. Reese, Wayne E. Brown Jr., Jonathon W. Perrine, and Ryan M. Floyd. Honorary pallbearers will be the Brothers of Dentsville Masonic Lodge #398

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Shives Funeral Home, 7600 Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29203. The funeral service will be held Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Shives Funeral Home. A service of committal with military honors rendered will follow at 12:00 noon at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, SC 29229.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dentsville Assembly #40, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls.