William “Bill” Pou Wise

William Pou “Bill” Wise, former owner of Bill Wise Printers Inc. and musician went to his Heavenly home on Friday, January 8, 2021 at the age of 87 ending a long life of serving and helping others.  

At Bill’s request there will be no funeral services.

Bill was born on November 20, 1933 in St. Matthews, S.C. the son of the late Bonnie Pou Wise and the late Mattie Heckle Wise.  He was a 1952 graduate of St. Matthews High School.  He began his printing career at the age of 14 in 1947 when he started working at the Calhoun Times setting type after school and on Saturday.  Bill sold a cow and a calf that he raised through the FFA to purchase his first printing press at the age of 19 which he set up in a smoke house in his backyard.  He worked for the Times and Democrat for many years at night while he worked and built his own printing business in his backyard in St. Matthews.  He moved part of his business to Orangeburg in 1982.  Bill Wise Printers, Inc. was sold in 2005 after 53 years of printing, he was a true entrepreneur.  He served in the United States Army National Guard.  Bill was a member of Izlar Lodge OMAR Shrine Temple, York Rite, Scottish Rite earning 32 degrees.  He served over 50 years in each.  He also served as a State Constable.  Bill’s love of music was well known.  He was a member of the Kinsman Quartet for 20 years.  He was also a member of Hi Cotton for 4 years.  He sang and played the guitar with the Low Country Gentleman and with the Lone Star Picking Parlor.  Bill had musicians gather every Tuesday night in his “Playhouse” in his backyard for over 20 years.  He was also a member of New Hope Baptist Church where he served as the Men’s Sunday School teacher and held many other church offices.   Bill was a “giant of a man” that will be truly missed by his family, friends and all that knew him.  

Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Anne Syfrett Wise; two sons, William Stephen Wise (Jeannie), Marion Wayne Wise (Elizabeth “Beth”); two daughters, Vivian Renee Wise (Garry Roden), Shannon Michelle Mitchum (Jeffrey “Jeff”); step-son, Tony Till; two step-daughters, Tammie Jackson (Mark), Tina Till; eight grandchildren, Brandy Hallman (Jamie), Brad Wise (Jessie), Richie Rucker, Jeremy Rucker (Nicole), Rocky Wise (Jessica), Cody Wise (Jaime), Rebecca Pounds, Currin Pounds; four step-grandchildren, Cody Jackson, Carly Sutcliffe (Austin), Katelynn Till, Hope Till; twelve great-grandchildren, Dalton Wise, Auston Wise, Ashton Hallman, Caden Wise, Carson Wise, Mattie Grace Wise, Kaley Wise, Dylan Wise, Kamryn Wise, Kyirah Rucker, Xoey Rucker, Logan Rucker; two step-great-grandchildren, Randall Dwayne Black, Jr. and Jacob Black. Bill was predeceased by his parents and a daughter, Pamela Jane Wise Edwards.

Memorials may be made to New Hope Baptist Church at 4000 Riverbank Drive, Orangeburg, S.C. 29115 or to a charity of one’s choice.

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