William Columbus Clough

In Loving Memory

A Celebration of Life service for William Columbus (Bill) Clough, 81, of Lexington, SC will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, November 10, 2024, at Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington, 4720 Augusta Rd, Lexington, SC 29073. Graveside service will follow at Celestial Memorial Gardens, 3111 Delree Street, West Columbia, SC 29170. The family will greet friends following the service at Thompson Funeral Home and after Graveside service at Celestial Memorial Gardens.

Mr. Clough went home to be with the Lord, Friday, November 1, 2024, at Lexington Medical. Born in the Olympia community of Columbia, SC, Bill was the son of the late Heyward Dexter Clough and Evelyn Kirkland Clough. He was a member of Saint Luke Lutheran Church in Columbia (Olympia), SC.

Bill retired from AT&T (formerly Southern Bell and Bell South) after 20 years of service, climbing telephone poles and representing union team members, before being hired into management to finish as a National Account Service Manager. Upon retirement from AT&T, he started and operated his own communications business for another 20 years - which provided time to rekindle a fondness for golf (with low-handicap skill) and his lifelong love of fishing for bream, crappie and catfish, where he also had much success! (seriously - not a "fish story")

As a young man, Bill proudly served our great nation for 6 years, first as a United States Air Force Airman out of the 837th Air Base Group at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, finishing his military service as a Staff Sergeant out of the 169th Fighter and Supply Group through the South Carolina Air National Guard, honorably discharged in 1967.

Bill was an avid sports fan, having much success playing basketball, football and baseball for his beloved Olympia High School. He was also a baseball coach, wining local league championships at multiple levels. Later in life he was able to enjoy watching the South Carolina Gamecocks win multiple National Championships in Baseball and Women's Basketball, among many other significant wins throughout the years by various eras of the Football team. He also enjoyed spending many of his retirement years at the Columbia, SC Airport watching airplanes, and catching up with his buddies over breakfast or lunch, where many "fish stories" were likely told.

Bill is survived by his wife, Patricia Clough of Lexington, sons Mike Clough (Kim) of Lexington, Bill Clough (Jill) of Arlington, TX; grandchildren Lily, Hank, Maddie and Seth Clough; sisters Ann Bowen (Robert) of Pelion, SC and Bobbie Hallman (Alton) of West Columbia, SC. Bill was predeceased by his parents, Heyward and Evelyn, and parents-in-law, James H. Jackson and Carrie N. Jackson.

Many of Bill's life adventures and activities involved the aforementioned family and friends. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and friend who will be missed.

The family would like to thank all the medical professionals from many practices and care centers over numerous years, who delivered great care for Bill, allowing him to be with us for a full lifetime.