Harold Boyd Risher

Harold Boyd Risher of Hilton Head Island, SC passed away peacefully at the age of 99 on Monday, May 16, 2016 after a brief illness. He was born May 9, 1917 in Richmond, VA to Thomas Raysor and Havlyn Utsey Risher and grew up in Charleston, SC. He attended Clemson University and graduated in 1938 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Upon graduation Mr. Risher went to work for Georgetown Paper Mill. During this time he met and married his beloved wife, Margaret McNeill. He was called into the army during World War II where he earned the rank of Major while serving in the artillery during the campaigns in N. Africa and Italy. After the war, he returned to SC and started his career in 1946 for Milliken and Company managing numerous mills in several upstate towns including Union, Clemson, and Abbeville. 1n 1965 Harold and Margaret moved to Spartanburg, SC where he retired in 1982 as President of Milliken’s Fabrics Division. Mr. Risher served on numerous boards and non-profit organizations including Clemson University, Columbia College. Mary Black Hospital and was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. Eventually, he moved to Hilton Head Island where he has resided for the past 10 years and was a member of St. Andrews By-the-Sea Methodist Church. Mr. Risher was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Doris Risher, and a brother, Thomas Raysor Risher Jr., and his wife, Margaret. He leaves behind his only child Thomas Harold Risher Sr.(Dianne) of Hilton Head Island, SC; grandson Thomas Harold Risher Jr. (Jennifer) of Hilton Head Island, SC, granddaughter Ashley Risher Hahn (Michael) of Bluffton, SC; and five great-grandchildren Brooks, Merritt, and Caroline Risher and Warner and Ava Hahn. Also surviving are his brother Francis Eugene Risher (Lib) of Folly Beach, SC; a sister Becky Havlyn Risher Jenkins (Don) of Charlotte, NC. Additionally, he and Margaret reared a nephew, George Terrence McNeill (Mary Katherine) of Monroe, GA and is survived by several other nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 Friday, May 20, 2016 at St. Andrews By-the-Sea United Methodist Church in Hilton Head Island, SC with interment being held at 3:00 on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in Spartanburg, SC. Flowers accepted or memorials may be made to St. Andrews By-the-Sea Methodist Church, 20 Pope Ave, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928. Sauls Funeral Home in Bluffton, SC will be handling arrangements assisted by JF Floyd Mortuary in Spartanburg.