James William Summer

James William Summer, Wedgefield, SC - Mr. Summer passed on Sunday, January 26, 2020 in Columbia, SC. He was born in Columbia on December 10, 1938 and was the son of the late William Carl Summer and Margaret Kearney Summer.

Mr. Summer graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1956 and joined the Marine Corps immediately following graduation. He was honorably discharged and returned home to run the family business, Summer Ornamental Ironworks. At the time of his passing Mr. Summer was the owner of S & W Boring Inc. He began the business with his partner Warren Watts in 1981 in Dalzell, SC and later became sole owner and continued to grow a successful business over the next 39 years.

Mr. Summer loved the outdoors and his interests included fishing, horseback riding, bird watching and tending to his garden of day lilies. He also had an undying love for his animals, some of which included his horse “Kelsey”, Vietnamese pig “Porkchop” and his dogs “Sean”, “Brennan” and “Dufus”.

Those who knew him well were aware of his longstanding intense love for the Clemson Tigers.

Mr. Summer dearly loved his family and is survived by his wife of 42 years Jane Crist Summer; his children Deanne Maree Summer of Cayce, Margaret Summer Causey (Michael) of Cayce, Richard Wayne Bedser Jr. of Jacksonville NC, David Carl Summer (Martha) of Grayslake IL, Michael Derek Summer of Sumter, and Juliet Brandon Bedser of Wedgefield; grandchildren Megan Joy Summer of Naperville IL, Lauren Margaret Causey of Cayce, Michele Amber Summer of Johns Creek GA, Teresa Ellen Causey of Columbia, Mollyanne Hope Summer of Grayslake IL, Melissa Grace Summer of Grayslake IL, Roxana Nicole Bedser of Wedgefield and McKenzie Faith Summer of Grayslake IL; great-grandchild River Danielle Summer Urschel of Naperville IL.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 2:00 pm at Church of the Ascension 5190 Hwy. 261 Rembert SC 29128. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to ClemsonLIFE Program Clemson University.