Frederick Arthur Willson

Frederick Arthur Willson peacefully passed away on Wednesday, April 17 at Beaufort Memorial Hospital in Beaufort, South Carolina. Fred was born on August 10, 1927 in Rumson, New Jersey to Charles Augustus Willson and Jenny Clayton Heidt. Our lives were blessed by the 85 full and vibrant years he shared with us. Fred lived his childhood in Rumson and later in Savannah, Georgia. After serving in the Navy in WWII, he completed high school, the only member of his family to do so. He went on to earn his BS in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina in 1953. Thereafter, Fred established a CPA practice in Sumter. He later purchased and operated The Flower and Gift Shop. These businesses served the community for 40 and 25 years respectively. More important to him however was the time spent developing tennis as a lasting sport in the community. Together with his friends, he spent many years promoting and teaching tennis in Sumter. Fred married Nancy Shumate in 1983 in Sumter, South Carolina. They were happily married for 30 years. He was a long time resident of the Dataw Island community where he was fondly known as Freddy. There he enjoyed playing tennis, boating and watching his blue birds hatch each Spring. He was the first president of the Dataw Island Tennis Association and was famous for his winning shot, the sidewinder. Each October, he loved taking charge of the Shrimp Boil for the tennis association. His deepest passion was for his family, reveling in holiday gatherings, summers boating and beach vacations. Fred is survived by his wife Nancy Shumate Willson of Dataw Island, South Carolina; his daughters Nancy Karen Willson of Richmond, VA (and husband Marc Young); Melanie Willson Hooper of Fairfax, VA (and husband Mark Hooper); his grandchildren Christopher Holdsworth and Daniel and Mitchell Hooper; and his nephew Ralph Signorelli. Fred was preceded in death by his son Charles Higgins Willson. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Dataw Island Club, St. Helena Island on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 11:00am. Fred's ashes will be laid to rest next to his son at Sumter Cemetery, Sumter, South Carolina at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Fred's memory to the Beaufort Memorial Hospital Foundation or Sea Island Presbyterian Church, Lady's Island, SC.