Willis "Doug" D. Corkern

Doug was born to Willis Lavette and Jessie Alberta Corkern January 9, 1935 in Panama City, Florida.  The family moved to Georgetown, SC where Doug grew up graduating from Winch High School where he excelled in both baseball and football and voted “Best All Around.”  He became a cadet at Clemson College majoring in architecture where he made lifelong friends and was awarded the Alpha Rho Chi medal.  Doug married his high school sweetheart, Jean Missroon, his junior year and they began their 64 year adventure together.  In 1960 Doug’s life and career forever changed by a chance encounter with a young Charles Fraser who was impressed with Doug’s talent. After accepting the offer to move to an undeveloped barrier island,  Doug became one of the most influential architects shaping the now iconic Hilton Head Island style creating lifestyle living in homes and buildings nestled in our beautiful Lowcountry.

Although Doug’s architectural career was highly praised and honored locally and nationally too many times to list, it was his influence on the people throughout his life that truly spoke of this great man.

His Winyah teammates and beloved friend and football coach remain close after 7 decades!

His Clemson classmates have intertwined their lives, families and careers becoming another branch of his extended family.

The Wednesday golf group met every week for 25 years boasting even God loved this group so much it was never rained out once!

Doug also cherished his Saturday breakfast gang trading stories, sharing memories and Clemson football predictions at The Sippin Cow.

He also founded the Bluffton Urban Sketchers gathering yet another band of friends to share time together enjoying plain air drawing in the town he loved so very much.

As a mentor to young artists and architects, Doug shared his world of knowledge and expertise inspiring the next generation and kick starting many careers.

Doug flourished later in life after his retirement form architecture and move to Bluffton. He loved his new town so much, his family gifted him a three wheeler so he could make his trek around Old Town Bluffton stopping to chat, sketch and visit.  His Lowcountry drawings of everyday people and places can be seen throughout Bluffton and his daily jaunts will be missed by all.

Ultimately, his greatest influence was on his family.  Doug, Jean and their 3 children fully embraced island life.  From sailing aboard his Morgan sailboat “Broadus” and lots of salt water fishing with buddies to golf, tennis, swimming and snake and blackberry hunting for the kids it really was a wonderful life!  The Corkerns had the fun and privilege of experiencing Hilton Head’s early days with the other “old timers” creating a sense of community like no other.  Doug gave his family an idyllic life - one he never could have imagined as a country boy from Georgetown.

Doug leaves behind a multitude of friends, his beloved cousins and Jean’s zany loving Missroon family, however, his dearest friend Ed Pinckney and fan club president Charlene Gardner, along with his daughter Coby (Bobby) Mozingo, son Christopher (Adelaide) Corkern and grandchildren Savannah (Ryan Kane), West & Parker Mozingo and Claire & Clay Corkern will feel this loss most.

He is predeceased by his wife Jean, son Scott, newborn son Clay and brother Terrell. The family wishes to thank the entire Town of Bluffton who loved, honored and embraced Doug.

Rest well Pops.

Respects may be paid to the family Friday, January 12, 3 - 5 p.m. at Campbell Chapel AME Church, Bluffton, SC.  Funeral services to be held also at Campbell Saturday, January 13, 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Campbell Chapel AME Historic Church Restoration Fund, or for the Clock-feel House Endowment Fund - Historic Bluffton Foundation.  Mail to:P.O. Box 23019, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 or online via https:// lowcountry.fcsuite.com/erp/donate