William Sellers

Cheraw, SC

Mr. William Everett Sellers, age 90, died Tuesday, August 16, 2016. Funeral Services will be 3:00 PM Thursday, August 18, 2016 at Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home Chapel, Chesterfield, SC by Rev. Dan Johnston and Rev. Everett Douglass. The Service of Committal will be held 3:00 PM Friday, August 19, 2016 at Bethany Cemetery, 10 Cunnington Avenue, Charleston, SC with full military honors. The family will greet friends immediately following the service on Thursday at the funeral home chapel.

Mr. Sellers was born October 9, 1925 in Jefferson, SC a son of the late John and Lucille Brewer Sellers. Mr. Sellers entered into the Navy as an enlisted man during World War II where he served as a Radioman in the Pacific Area. He later went to Guadalcanal and then participated in various amphibious landings ending up at Iwo Jima.

Mr. Sellers received a Purple Heart for injuries received during a Kamikaze attack in the Philippines and was discharged at the war’s end. However, he was called back during the Korean War and continued on active duty advancing to Officer Status and retired as Lieutenant Commander, USN, in November of 1970. He also served from 1960 – 1963 with the original Mercury Manned Space Program as a Communication Officer for the Pacific Recovery Area. He later went to the Vietnam Area and served prior to his retirement.

In addition to the Purple Heart, Mr. Sellers was also the recipient of the Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation Medal, the American Theater Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal, the WW II Victory Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal, the National Defense Medal, the Japanese Occupation Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal.

Mr. Sellers was a member of North Charleston Baptist Church where he taught Sunday school and was very active in church activities. He enjoyed gardening, growing fruit trees, and was known for his “green thumb”. Other hobbies included working cross word puzzles, baking and cooking. He was especially gifted at carving watermelons and various fruits.

Over his Navy career, Mr. Sellers traveled and lived in many places, but his home was always with his beloved wife, Cora Lee Sellers, affectionately known as “Squirt”. They shared over 70 years of marriage, and after her death, he still loved her dearly with a passion. He will always be remembered for his infectious smile that would light up a room.

In addition to his parents and beloved wife, Mr. Sellers was also preceded in death by his brothers, Emmett L. Sellers, Bobby C. Sellers, and Francis R. Sellers; his sisters, Billie S. Thomas and Alice S. Byrd.

Survivors include 3 sisters-in-law, Virginia C. Sellers of Cary, NC, Frances Ann Sellers of Virginia Beach, VA, and Lucille Douglas of Chesterfield, SC; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews including Press Douglass and wife Tammy of Cheraw, SC.

The family would like to express their thanks to Mr. Sellers’ caregivers, Brittany Hatcher, Cindy Dixon, Nancy Hildreth, Candie Van Derpoel, Darlene Lovelace, Sharron Coachman, Jennifer Eddins and the entire staff of Hospice of Chesterfield County.

The family cordially requests memorials be made to Hospice of Chesterfield County, P.O. Box 293, Chesterfield, SC 29709

Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home of Chesterfield, SC
(www.mrcfuneralhome.com) is serving the Sellers Family