Dalphine W. Rawl

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Billy Rawl  (Delphin W. Rawl, Jr.), 84, of West Columbia will be held at 2 PM Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church, 530 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 29210 . Visitation will follow the service in the church fellowship hall. Memorials may be made to Seven  Oaks Presbyterian Church. Billy passed away on Friday November 23, 2018. He was born in Johnston, South Carolina and was the son of the late Maude Rhoden and Delphin W. Rawl, Sr. Billy served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 until 1955 as an air crewman in Lockheed P2V patrol bombers. He then attended the University of South Carolina after which he served in the US Air Force from 1957 until 1965, the years from 1961 to 1965 as a pilot in the Strategic Air Command. He was employed by Trans World Airlines in 1965 and retired as a captain in 1986. During his airline career he flew both domestic and international flights in Lockheed Constellations, Boeing 707‘s, Lockheed‘s 1011s, Boeing 747’s, Boeing 727‘s and McDonnell-Douglas MD-80s. He was based in Kansas City, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and St. Louis. Billy was an avid yachtsman during the years he lived in Southern California and owned, raced and cruised four sailing yachts as well as one power boat. After moving back to South Carolina he served four years as president of the Johnston Lions Club and two years as commander of Johnston American Legion Post 154. He served three-year terms on the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra Board of Directors. He served as a member of the Newberry Opera Company during its operations. He served as president of the Opera Guild of Greater Columbia for 10 year. He was a member of the Hansom Wheels, a Columbia SC Sherlockian scion society, Billy was a member of the Friends of the school of USC School of Music and the Paul Ronaldo Redfern Aviation Society. Billy’s most cherished honor was that of being the recipient of the Dedication of the 2019 Metropolitan Opera Auditions. Billy was predeceased by his parents; son, Jeffrey Rawl and brother Frank Rawl.  He is survived by his wife,  Alida Parker Rawl; brother, John Rawl and sisters, Barbara Daniels and Blondell Leopard.