William "Billy" E. Wimberly

William (Billy) E. Wimberly passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, September 26, 2025.

He was predeceased by his parents, Jake and Rachel Wimberly; his brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Evelyn Wimberly; his sister, Gretta W. Gates; and his nephew, Steve Wimberly.

Billy is survived by his devoted wife, Kathy G. Wimberly; his daughter and son-in-law, Leah W. and William McCamy; and his beloved grandsons, Dax and Maddox. He also leaves behind nephews Todd Gates (Angie), Doug Gates (Janet), and Keith Wimberly (Lisa), along with his ever-faithful, deeply loved, and spoiled fur baby, Jake.

Born in the Eau Claire area of Columbia on July 14, 1944, Billy graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1962. He was a proud member of the Wednesday Morning Eau Claire Breakfast Club and cherished his time with his "buddies" each week.

Billy retired from the South Carolina Department of Transportation and faithfully served in the Army National Guard. A lifelong sportsman and passionate skeet shooter, he was inducted into the South Carolina Skeet Shooters Hall of Fame in 2007. Among his proudest accomplishments was earning AAA classification in all four guns in a single year (1996). In 1992, he ranked among the top 25 in the International Skeet U.S. Championships and was invited to the U.S. International Olympic Team tryouts.

Beyond the shooting range, Billy enjoyed building and flying model airplanes, a hobby that showcased his precision and creativity. He also loved the open road and never passed up a good motorcycle ride-especially to the mountains.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Lutheran Hospice and BeWell for their compassionate care during Billy's final days.

A service to celebrate Billy's life will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 2PM in the chapel of Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC. The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service. The burial will immediately follow the service at Greenlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.

Billy wished to be remembered as someone who "Rode Good, Shot Straight, and Spoke the Truth."