Obituary of Clarence Willie Carroll

Clarence Willie Carroll passed away September 12, 2022 at the age of 82, after a short battle with cancer.

Willie was born on March 17, 1940 in Anderson SC but grew up in Greenville, SC. In 1948, Willie graduated from Carolina High School. Following graduation, he enlisted in the US ARMY to serve his country during the Cold War period. After honorably serving for 3 years, he moved to Texas and worked for Geigy Chemical. He returned to South Carolina where he met and married, the love of his life, Katheryn (Kitty) Lockett, started a family and settled in Columbia, SC. He earned an associate degree in Business and Accounting. He had numerous entrepreneurial endeavors, including over 34 years in business with his wife Kitty as the proprietor of Hilltop Plaza, serving the community of South Congaree.

Beyond being a businessman, Willie served in the Scottish Rite Masons and with the Jamal Shriners. Willie was a sports lover, a coach, and an avid golfer. From the 1970s to the 1980s, he volunteered his free time as a coach of young men of all ages including Jay, his son, in baseball through the Richland County Recreations Commission at Trenholm Park. During this period, he was also active as a basketball coach at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. It was very common in his later years of life for Willie to be approached by men in the Columbia area with had extended addressing him as “Coach Carroll”.

Growing up in Greenville, he was exposed to Clemson Football at a young age. His “Blood Ran Orange” and he faithfully cheered for the Clemson Tigers for the rest of his days. There is a small shrine to Clemson University in his home complete with an autographed photograph of him with Coach Danny Ford.

Later in life, Willie became fascinated with family genealogy. He spend many hours updating and researching history about the Carroll, Denney, Barrett, and Black families.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Katheryn (Kitty) E. Lockett Carroll, his daughter Major Alicia A. Carroll, USAF, his son Dr. James (Jay) A. Carroll and daughter-in-law Dr. Cathryn Haigh. He was preceded in death by his parents, Guy Willie and Pearl Denney Carroll, his sisters, Viola Rollins and Almond Campbell, and his brothers, Robert and Denney Carroll. He also leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews scattered throughout the USA.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date, Memorials may be made to a favorite charity of Willie and Kitty –  Tunnels to Towers [donationsupport@t2t.org or (718) 987-1931]

South Carolina Cremation Society is assisting the family. Family and friends may sign the online guest book by clicking on the “Tribute Wall” tab above.