Millard Kirby Rader

Millard "Kirby" Rader PROSPERITY - Millard Kirby Rader, husband of Wilma Louise Fowler Rader, was called to his Heavenly Father's presence on his 85th birthday, June 14, 2012, at Providence Hospital in Columbia after a courageous and valiant fight to overcome congestive heart failure. Kirby was the third of five sons born to the late Alna Carson and Anna Belle Wilson Rader in Marion, North Carolina, on June 14, 1927. He attended Marion High School, leaving to serve in the United States Navy aboard the USS Hancock during World War II. Kirby returned after the war to graduate from Marion High School. He married the love of his life, Wilma Louise Fowler, on June 28, 1948. They moved to Columbia, South Carolina, where both were students at the University of South Carolina. Kirby was a member of the USC Fighting Gamecock football team, and Wilma cheered him on the field and sidelines as a USC Majorette. They enjoyed the fun times living in the Caravets with other USC football families who remain dear friends to this day. During high school, Kirby was an outstanding football and baseball player. He played for North Carolina in the 1947 Shrine Bowl. His success on the football field led him to choose the University of South Carolina Fighting Gamecocks from many athletic programs who sought him. He was honored to play for Coach Rex Enright. Not only was Kirby a standout on the football field, he was a great baseball player who was offered contracts to join Major League Baseball teams such as the Boston White Sox. His love was football, so he chose to remain at USC. Kirby played with renowned Steve Wadiak, Pat Vella, Larry Smith, and Jimmy Cooper. He was a charter member of the Lettermen's Club and enjoyed seeing his former teammates in the Lettermen's Lounge before and after games and during halftime. Kirby was a Gamecock Club supporter and football season ticket holder for decades. Despite health problems, he attended every home game possible to cheer the team on since the 1950s with Wilma, his children, and grandchildren by his side. He was a lifelong supporter of all Gamecock athletics and athletes. Kirby loved the Lord. He was a charter member of Dreher Island Baptist Church and worked fervently to plan and construct the church. He loved singing hymns in the choir with his beautiful voice. On November 9, 2011, Kirby joined fellow South Carolina World War II Veterans on an Honor Flight to Washington, DC. It was one of the most memorable and enjoyable experiences of his life. He and Wilma were faithful participants in Chapin High School's annual Greatest Generation remembrance held to honor the veterans of World War II as they shared memories of the war years with the students and faculty. Kirby's strength of character and personal integrity were his dominant traits. He sought to maintain a clear conscience before God and man. He fought valiantly to overcome his failing heart with unwavering determination and courage. Kirby demonstrated each day why he was a member of the Greatest Generation and inspired his children and grandchildren to never give up. He never met a stranger and remembered the face of every person who crossed his path. One of his favorite pastimes was drawing. He would giftedly create a masterpiece on any piece and any size of paper available to him. His loving, joyful, sweet, peaceful, kind, gentle, humorous and courageous heart and soul will be greatly missed by his family and lifelong friends. His wonderful attributes leave an enduring legacy to his family. Kirby is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 64 years, Wilma Louise Fowler Rader; his son, Ronald Kirby Rader of Prosperity, his daughters, Jan Rader Dickson of Columbia, Joni Lynn Rader Beaman and son-in-law Charles D. (Chuck) Beaman of Columbia; seven grandchildren who affectionately called him Papaw and Poppa, Christopher James (C.J.) Dickson of Princeton, New Jersey, William Blake Beaman of Charlotte, North Carolina, Logan Louise Fowler Dickson of Mt. Pleasant, Callie Ross Rader of Columbia, Ashley Lynn Beaman of White Rock, Catherine Elizabeth Dickson Stergar (Zachary David Stergar) of Richmond, Virginia, and Rebecca Jordan Rader (Brandon Horning) of Chapin; two great-granddaughters, Lilly Grace Ryan and Brantlee Jayne Horning; as well as Cheryl Bradley Rader and James Brice Dickson; his two brothers, John Rader of Salisbury, North Carolina, and Vernon Rader of Cincinnati, Ohio. Two of his brothers, Richard and Carter, predeceased him. His family will greatly miss his thoughtfulness, sweetness, kindness, humor, and courage. A graveside memorial service will be held at Cherry Springs Baptist Church in Old Fort, North Carolina, on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at 5:00 P.M.. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 190 Knox Abbott Drive, Suite 301 Cayce, SC 29033 or the animal rescue association of your choice. The family wishes to thank his doctors, particularly Dr. Michael Foster and Dr. Venk Gottipaty, Providence MCCU and 5th Tower nurses, techs, and therapists for their immeasurable support, compassion, treatment, and care given to Kirby and all of us. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com. Whitaker Funeral Home of Newberry is assisting the family.