Celebrating the life of
William Tarver
July 15, 1927 - August 09, 2014
World War II veteran, woodworker, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather
William B. Tarver, 87, of Bluffton, SC, passed away August 9th, 2014, at his home after a short illness. Born July 15, 1927 to William B. and Vera
(Mason) Tarver he spent his youth in Savannah where he graduated from Savannah High School in 1945. Upon graduation he enlisted in the US
Navy during World War II where he received flight training. After serving his country he attended Tulane and Clemson Universities obtaining a
degree in Chemistry. Married to Helen Dunn DeVere on June 12, 1948 the couple lived briefly in Clemson and Atlanta before settling into the
home in Bluffton that they shared until his death. He spent the beginning of his career working for the US Food & Drug Administration in Atlanta
before returning to Savannah to work for Union Camp Corporation. He left Savannah briefly for Quaker Chemical in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, but returned to Union Camp before working for Coastal Chemical Company and Ashland Oil. Eventually, he purchased the household chemical unit in Savannah from
Ashland Oil and re-opened the business as Coastal Chemical Company where he served as President and Chief Operating Officer until his retirement. Creative by nature, he was skilled at woodworking, having built and furnished much of his home by hand, painting and gardening. He shared the fruits of his labors with friends and neighbors.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Helen DeVere Tarver of Bluffton: His children; William B.Tarver, Jr., also of Bluffton; Clare Jones of Hilton
Head; Elizabeth Zipperer (Alex) of Savannah; Helen Fennelly (Wilson) of Claremont, CA; 16 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Mark Mason Tarver and daughter, Carol Rebecca Tarver Leo.
Visitation will be 5-7 pm on Tuesday, August 12, at the Fox & Weeks Hodgson Chapel. Graveside Service will be at 11 am on Wednesday, August 13, at Bonaventure Cemetery.
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
My condolences to the Tarver family I am so sorry for your loss. May Jehovah be with your family in your time of grief we all know how you feel because we all have loss someone we love. But you can have hope because God has said there is going to be a resurrection for all mankind . At John 5:28,29 it talkes about a resurrection hope . Again I am sorry for your loss.
- Mary cooper, Savannah, Ga
I am sending love and sympathy to all of you. Bill and Boonie were good friends and I enjoyed each of you through the years. Have been out of town and have an appointment today or I would be with you. Jessie
- jessie hancock, bluffton, sc
Tarvers, Please know that I share in the loss of the patriarch of your family. My prayers, condolences and best wishes are with you as you go through this. Allow your memories of what he stood for propel forward in the coming days. I pray that God will bless and keep you. Morris C. Campbell
- Morris C. Campbell, Hilton Head Island, SC
So sorry to hear of your father's death. Our prayers for you and your family. Tim Moore, BC 1967
- Tim Moore, The Woodlands , TX
I would like to express my deepest sympathy for the loss of your dear loved one. May you find comfort in the promise at Revelation 21:4 "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."
- Mrs. Khan, Snellville, GA
To all the Tarvers- It is sad to hear of your Dad's passing. I enjoyed and learned from the time we spent talking. He, and you, remain in my thoughts and prayers.
- Michael Hennessy, St Simons Island, GA
My condolences to the Tarver family I am so sorry for your loss. May Jehovah be with your family in your time of grief we all know how you feel because we all have loss someone we love. But you can have hope because God has said there is going to be a resurrection for all mankind . At John 5:28,29 it talkes about a resurrection hope . Again I am sorry for your loss.
- Mary cooper, Savannah, Ga
I am sending love and sympathy to all of you. Bill and Boonie were good friends and I enjoyed each of you through the years. Have been out of town and have an appointment today or I would be with you. Jessie
- jessie hancock, bluffton, sc
Tarvers, Please know that I share in the loss of the patriarch of your family. My prayers, condolences and best wishes are with you as you go through this. Allow your memories of what he stood for propel forward in the coming days. I pray that God will bless and keep you. Morris C. Campbell
- Morris C. Campbell, Hilton Head Island, SC
So sorry to hear of your father's death. Our prayers for you and your family. Tim Moore, BC 1967
- Tim Moore, The Woodlands , TX
I would like to express my deepest sympathy for the loss of your dear loved one. May you find comfort in the promise at Revelation 21:4 "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."
- Mrs. Khan, Snellville, GA
To all the Tarvers- It is sad to hear of your Dad's passing. I enjoyed and learned from the time we spent talking. He, and you, remain in my thoughts and prayers.
- Michael Hennessy, St Simons Island, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
