William "Bill" Stewart Ashcraft

William “Bill” Stewart Ashcraft, 85, husband of Madelyn Justice Ashcraft, resident of Haynes St., entered into rest Friday, August 8, 2025 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

Born on August 31, 1939, in Abbeville to the late Wilson Stewart and Marie White Ashcraft, he was a 1960 graduate of Abbeville High School. Even before graduating high school, he was working at the Abbeville Milliken Plant until he was old enough to join the Abbeville Police Department where he served for 4 years, he also served in the South Carolina Army National Guard from 1964 to 1966. he joined the Abbeville County Sheriff’s Department in 1967 where he served 5 years. Bill then joined the South Carolina Department of Transportation as a Transport Trooper, retiring after 20 plus years of service.

During his high school days, Bill was an all around athlete, having played football, basketball and baseball. During his football career under coach Tommy Hite, in 1957 he played in the first Skyline Conference Championship game against Daniel, 1958 was a big year for Bill, he was named to the Top Prep Honor Roll, he was selected to play in the Shrine Bowl where he was the Punter, Bill punted barefooted, one of only two players to do so, he was voted Captain of the All-Upstate as well. Bill caught a 34 yard pass for a touchdown to defeat Honea Path for the Lower Skyline Championship then went on to defeat Dainel for the Skyline Conference Championship. In basketball he broke 2 boy’s scoring records. In 1959 he was the top scorer for the Basketball team, and sweep the Lower Division, Skyline Conference doubleheader from Belton. Bill also pitched a perfect one hitter game against Ninety-Six in Baseball.

A member of Little River Baptist Church, he loved his church and church family.

Surviving other than his loving wife of 64 years, of the home, are his children, Wilson S. Ashcraft II of Greenwood, Amanda “Mandy” Chandler of Due West; his sisters, Sara Burns, Barbara Barnett and Frances Coleman; his grandchildren, Will Ashcraft, Amber Hussey, Caleb Chandler, and Halle Chandler; his greatgrandchildren, JB, Ryleigh, Liam, and Halana. He was predeceased by his brothers, James and Franklin Ashcraft.

Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, August 12th at 11:00 AM from Little River Baptist Church with Rev. Garrett Hart officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the hour of service at the church.

The family is at the home.

Memorials may be made to the Abbeville Humane Society, c/o Barbara Freeze, 27 Agan Road, Abbeville, SC 29620.

Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home and Cremation Services is honored to serve the Ashcraft family.