Henry Grady Yonce

COLUMBIA - A memorial service for Henry Grady Yonce, 83, will be held at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, 2012, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. The service will be officiated by the Rev. Robert G. Riegel. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home. His ashes will be commended to the sea at a later date.

Mr. Yonce died Friday, March 30, 2012. Born in Edgefield County, he was a son of Luther and Mertie Yonce. In 1948, he received a B.S. degree from the University of South Carolina with a major in Accounting and double major in Economics. In 1952, he attended Coast Guard Officers Candidate School at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. and attained the rank of Lt. Commander in the two years he served. He also was a graduate of Course in Administrative Law designed for Administrative Law Judges at the National College of the State Judiciary, University of Nevada in 1976, while a member of the South Carolina Public Service Commission.

He returned to full time civilian life in 1954 and started Yonce Insurance Agency. In 1962, he was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives and served in the House until June 30, 1971. He was First Vice-Chairman of Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee and Vice-Chairman of Joint Senate and House Insurance Law Study Committee. He was elected by the General Assembly to the South Carolina Public Service Commission and assumed office on July 1, 1971, as Commissioner representing the Seventh Public Service District, consisting of Calhoun, Lee, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland and Sumter counties. He remained at the Public Service Commission for over two decades, serving as chairman several times and retired in 1994, at which time he formed a consulting firm for ten years, Palmetto Pathfinders. He was awarded the Order of the Palmetto by Governor Campbell in 1994. He touched many lives with his compassion for his fellow human beings and his brilliant mind and sharp wit. He will be deeply missed by many.

Surviving are his wife of nearly 40 years, Catherine Yonce; son, Grady Yonce (Nancy), Carey Yonce, Christopher Yonce; grandchildren, Kyle, Kimberly, Sarah, John Henry; great-grandchild, Madison; numerous nieces and nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews and dear friends, all of whom he loved dearly. He was predeceased by a son, Jeffrey Yonce.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.