A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE HONORABLE WILLIAM E. "BILL" SANDIFER III OF Oconee COUNTY FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON BEHALF OF HIS CONSTITUENTS AND THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO WISH HIM MUCH SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives has learned with sincere regret that Representative William E. "Bill" Sandifer III of Oconee County will depart from the House of Representatives at the conclusion of his current term; and

Whereas, born in 1945 in Aiken, he is a son of the late William Edward Sandifer, Jr., a two-term mayor of Seneca, and the late Frances Harley Sandifer, a school teacher. The family later moved to Seneca, and its close proximity to Clemson led young Bill to be a died-in-the wool Clemson Tigers fan; and

Whereas, following in his father's footsteps, Bill Sandifer graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1965 and began working in the mortuary business in Seneca. He served his profession as president of the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association and on the South Carolina State Board of Funeral Services; and

Whereas, Bill Sandifer also followed his father's footsteps into community service, serving on the boards of the Seneca Chamber of Commerce, the Oconee Memorial Hospital Board, the Fort Hill Natural Gas Authority, and Seneca National Bank. A true patriot, he also served for twenty years in the South Carolina Army National Guard, retiring with the rank of Major; and

Whereas, in 1995 Bill Sandifer was elected to the House of Representatives, where he has faithfully served the citizens of Oconee and Pickens counties in District 2 for nearly thirty years. In recognition of his diligence and commitment, he served as assistant majority leader from 2002 to 2004 and has served as chairman of the Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee since 2008; and

Whereas, despite his vast and distinguished achievements in business and public service, Bill Sandifer's most impressive achievement came in 1981 when he persuaded the former Sandra Prater to marry him. Being a husband, father, and grandfather have brought him great pride; and

Whereas, through his service in the House, Representative Sandifer earned a reputation as a dedicated conservative who shaped important public policy focused on job creation and economic growth, high-quality education, efficient government, and strong families. He leaves a legacy of tremendous achievement that served his constituents well and immeasurably bettered the entire Palmetto State; and

Whereas, the House of Representatives will miss the keen and faithful service that Bill Sandifer, their friend and colleague, has given to the House of Representatives, and the members hope that he will enjoy deep fulfillment in the years to come. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and commend the Honorable William E. "Bill" Sandifer III of Oconee County for his dedicated service in the House of Representatives on behalf of his constituents and the citizens of South Carolina and wish him much success and happiness in all his future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Honorable William E. "Bill" Sandifer III.

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