Col. Joseph William Douglas
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Col. Joseph William Douglas

  • February 23, 1919 - December 10, 2011
  • Columbia, South Carolina
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“My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Bill was a wonderful man and loved by all. ”
1 of 23 | Posted by: Mary beth Dawson gillis - SC

“Dear Gale and Family, Mom (Omega Clinge) and I send our love and sympathy to you and your family. Jane Shuler ”
2 of 23 | Posted by: Jane Shuler - Orangeburg, SC

“Dear Gale, I know you father must have been a loving, strong man from the loving daughter he helped you become. I'm especially glad you have the...Read More » ”
3 of 23 | Posted by: Mark Sloan - Columbia, SC

“I've known Billy since the early 50's when I went to Palmetto Military Academy. After I returned from Viet Nam and went to work in the Military...Read More » ”
4 of 23 | Posted by: Jim Lander, Colonel (Retired) - SC

“A wonderful man that will be missed but remembered always. ”
5 of 23 | Posted by: Angela P. Milligan and Mark - GA

“We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. Many memories of times together with your friends, family & father over the years are among...Read More » ”
6 of 23 | Posted by: Johnny & Nancy Turner - SC

“Mrs. Douglas, Beverly and I were saddened to hear of your husbands passing. I showed the obituary to my daughter who is in the National guard and...Read More » ”
7 of 23 | Posted by: Dave Merry class of '65 - Easley, SC

“Gayle, I am so sorry to hear of your loss, and know that mere words always seem so inadequate at times like these. I never knew your Dad...Read More » ”
8 of 23 | Posted by: Richard Davis - Columbia, SC

“Mrs Douglas I am sorry for your loss. Mr. Douglas was a very kind man. You and the family are in my prayers. Mary Rhine ”
9 of 23 | Posted by: Mary Rhine - cayce, SC - Friend

“Sincere condolences to you and your family, Gayle, in this time of sadness. Remember and embrace the joy that you shared for so many years. ”
10 of 23 | Posted by: Karen Mallia - Columbia, SC

“Mrs. Douglas, So sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Douglas. Gayle and I were friends in elementary and middle school. I have such wonderful...Read More » ”
11 of 23 | Posted by: Elizabeth (Libby) Savitz Schauer - FL

“Dear Lillian and Family, I am sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I know Billy will see Jack in Heaven. Love,...Read More » ”
12 of 23 | Posted by: Darlene Kirk - Hendersonville, NC

“Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. ”
13 of 23 | Posted by: Barbara Turner - Greenville , SC

“Dear Lillian and Gayle, I am sorry for your loss. I am currently out of town, but my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Love, ...Read More » ”
14 of 23 | Posted by: Bonnie Krystofer - Columbia, SC

“Gayle, I send you love and support during this time of sadness and of celebration of your father's life. Love, Pat ”
15 of 23 | Posted by: Pat Feehan - Columbia, SC

“Dear Douglas family, I was so saddened to learn of Billy's death. There will certainly be a void in all of yours lives now. My thoughts and...Read More » ”
16 of 23 | Posted by: nancy p gilreath - manteo, NC

“Gayle, my thoughts and my heart are with you and your family during this time of loss. ”
17 of 23 | Posted by: George L. Johnson - Columbia, SC

“Lil and family, Your husband and father was always a special man whom I will remember for his many kindnesses to me in the almost 50 years I knew...Read More » ”
18 of 23 | Posted by: Russ Jones - SC - Friend

“Gayle - you and ALL your family are in my heart, thoughts and prayers at the loss of your precious daddy. Having known him all my life, I know how...Read More » ”
19 of 23 | Posted by: Gale Rigby Kennedy - Columbia, SC

“Our prayers and thoughts are with you. ”
20 of 23 | Posted by: Jon Upson - Columbia, SC

“Lil, Gayle and family: We were so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this sad time. What a kind,...Read More » ”
21 of 23 | Posted by: Mary Anne Sharp - SC - friend

“Dear Lill and Family, Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this sad time of life. The world has lost a great, kind man. My...Read More » ”
22 of 23 | Posted by: Arthur S. Tompkins IV - Columbia, SC

“On behalf of the staff of Dunbar Funeral Home, I extend our sincere condolences to the Douglas family. ”
23 of 23 | Posted by: Joey Tanner - Columbia, SC


COLUMBIA Joseph William (Billy) Douglas, Colonel, US Army (ret), died December 10, 2011, following a brief illness. Born February 23, 1919, he was the son of Charles and Emily Douglas. He attended the Columbia public schools and the University of South Carolina. He was a lifelong resident of Shandon.
Billy enlisted as a private in the South Carolina Army National Guard in 1938. During World War II, he served with the 34th Infantry Division and the 20th Base Post Office in Italy and France. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Badge. Following the war he re-joined the South Carolina National Guard and served at various times as Division General Staff Officer, a detachment, battalion and group commander. He also served as Commandant of the Palmetto Military Academy, the South Carolina National Guard's Officer Candidate School. Billy was a graduate of the Associate Course of the US Army Commanding General Staff College. He was a member and in 1963 the president of the South Carolina National Guard Association.
After twenty-six years as a rural mail carrier, Billy was appointed Columbia Postmaster in 1966 and later named Sectional Center Manager of the US Postal Service. At the time of his retirement in 1977 he had administrative responsibility for 101 post offices in central South Carolina. He was a member and served as State President of the South Carolina Chapter of the National Association of Postmasters of the United States.
Billy twice served as Chairman of the Federal Division of the annual United Way campaign. He was a past president of the Columbia Federal Executives Council and the Columbia USO Council. He was a member of the American Legion. He was a member and past chapter and state commander and region Chief of Staff of the Military Order of the World Wars.
He was a member of the Fort Jackson Officers' Club, the Town Club, and the Palmetto Club. Billy was a member of the USC University Associates and was one of the original members of the Board of Directors of the USC Centurions. He was a member and former Deacon of Shandon Presbyterian Church.
Billy is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lillian Gayle Douglas (Lil), a daughter, Gayle Douglas Johnson (Evans), sons Charles McClellan Douglas and Joseph William Douglas, Jr. (Laurie). He loved being GrandBilly to Emily Anna Sykes, Elizabeth McClellan Jenkinson (Victor), Charles McClellan Douglas, Jr., Patrick Alderman Douglas, Joseph William Douglas, III (Angie), Franklin Turner Douglas, Benjamin Pierce Douglas, and great-grandchildren Elizabeth Lillian Sinclair Jenkinson, Christopher William Sykes, Victor Paul Jenkinson, Jr., Emily Wade Douglas, and Phoebe Boyd Jenkinson. Billy will be lovingly remembered by his sister-in-law Bess Stuckey Gayle and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Billy was predeceased by his grandson James Richard (Jim) Sykes, Jr. and brother-in-law Charles Norwood Gayle, Jr.
A memorial service will held on Monday December 12, 2011 at 1 P.M. at Shandon Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends following the service in Davis Hall at the church. Dunbar Funeral Home Devine Street is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, friends may send donations to Shandon Presbyterian Church or to the charity of their choice.