Bill Carithers

Bill Carithers, 90, of Taylors, SC passed away on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at Greer Memorial Hospital in Greer, SC.

Bill was born on March 15, 1935, in Danielsville, Georgia to the late John Jackson Carithers and the late Reba Mae Owens Carithers.

He was also preceded in death by sons, Douglas Jerome Carithers and David Keith Carithers.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 P.M.- 12:45 P.M. on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at Whitley’s Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 1:00 P.M. at Whitley’s Funeral Home Chapel in Kannapolis, officiated by Rev. James Pauley. The committal service and burial immediately follow at Carolina Memorial Park, 601 Mt. Olivet Road, Kannapolis, officiated by Rev. James Pauley and Mr. Mike Cole.

Survivors include wife of 38 years, Sherrill Kelso Carithers of the home; children, Billy D. Carithers (Lori), Patti Y. Carithers, Penny C. Arant (Lee), Jeana C. Schopfer, Teresa C. Parker (Charlie), Kimberly Henry, Eric Hubbard (Donna); grandchildren, Alisha Carithers (Marc), Austin Carithers (Lynsey), Stephen Measmer (Marissa), Zoe Murdock, Gabriel Arant, Michael Arant (Heidi), Drake Carithers, Dakota Schopfer (Rebecca), Durham Schopfer, Jonathan Kimray (Justine), Taylor Shores (Austin), Chandler Clyde (Kyle), Kyle Karandisevsky, Cheyenne Hubbard, and Zachariah Hubbard; 10 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Christine Kelso; and Caroline Driggers, mother of his 7 children.

Bill is also survived by his faithful companion “Happy”.

Bill enlisted in the Navy at age 17 and served for 20 years and retired with the rate of Chief Petty Officer. Chief Carithers served 3 tours in the Korean War aboard the heavy cruiser USS Los Angeles (CA-135) and 1 tour in Vietnam War aboard the USS Page County (LST-1076). During his Navy career, Chief Carithers served on 7 ships, USS Los Angeles, USS Cadmus, USS Shangri La, USS Intrepid, USS Enterprise, USS Betelgeuse, USS Page County. He also served at Green Cove Springs FL, Adak AK, Guam, and Anacostia, Washington DC. His last duty station was US Navy Recruiting in Columbia, SC.

Bill was awarded the following medals: Navy Good Conduct Medal with 4 stars, Nation Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with 2 battle stars, Vietnam Service Medal, United Nations Medal for Korean Service, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Republic of Korea Service Medal.

After his military service, Bill worked at Cannon Mills, Durham Life Insurance, Lowe’s Food, and Bi-Lo Foods. After retirement from Bi-Lo, Bill worked part time for many years at Advance Auto.

Bill attended Kannapolis City schools and earned a GED while in the Navy.

Bill was a member of Poston Perkins VFW Post 8989, Amvets, American Legion Post #3, Allen Graham Masonic Lodge #695, Scottish Rite Valley of Charlotte, and Oasis Shriners.

Memorials may be made to Faith Baptist Church, 904 Chipola St, Kannapolis NC 28083 or to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 1002 S. Buncombe Rd Greer SC 29651.