Willard Outlaw

     Archie Willard Outlaw, 83, of Gillisonville, SC passed away October 22, 2017. He was born on Jan. 3, 1934 in Sumter, SC, to the late John and Golden Lee Outlaw. Willard grew up in Beaufort, SC; he was one of nine children. In his younger years, he worked in cabinet refinishing, and his love of furniture began. At the age of 22, Willard had the opportunity to study at the prominent Ringling School of Interior Design in Sarasota, FL. One popular achievement Willard was proud of was in 1956 when he and a friend set a world record water skiing 280 miles non-stop from Beaufort to Jacksonville, FL. They arrived in Jacksonville with such fanfare from a waiting crowd of spectators.

     Willard eventually moved to Tampa, FL, where his pride and joy, daughter Allison, was born and he opened Outlaw’s Interiors. He liked to say he was “just lucky” as his business grew, but it was his genuine hospitality and true love of serving others that turned clients from across the country into life-long friends.

     In the early 1990s, Willard met his soul mate, Carol Roper. Together they ran the successful business, but Willard longed to return to the Low Country after retiring, so they moved to Gillisonville in 2000. One of his greatest adventures was restoring Peterman’s General Store surrounded by the beautiful camellias and azaleas.

     For many years, Willard and Carol proudly served alongside their friends at Gillisonville Baptist Church. He loved decorating the church with flowers every Sunday, and he loved his church family!

     In addition to Carol, Willard is survived by daughter, Allison Schneider (Bob) and grandson, Garrett of Tampa, FL; sister, Tony Gregor (Greg) of Nahunta, Ga; brother, Stanly Outlaw (Patsy) of Hudson, FL and an extensive number of loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Also surviving is Carol’s family: Diane Marx of Mt. Vernon, WA, Arthur Marx of Portland, OR, and Madelynn Innes (Brad) of Springfield, MO, as well as grandchildren, Andrew Somers of Anacortes, WA, Phillip Somers of Ringkobing, Denmark, and Jodelle and Abigail Marx of Portland, OR. He was predeceased by six siblings, Julia Johns, John Leroy Outlaw, James H. Outlaw, Kenneth Outlaw, Robert L. Outlaw and Patricia Outlaw.

     A visitation will be held Friday, Oct. 27, 2017 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Vaigneur Funeral Home, 6802 Tillman Road, Ridgeland, SC. A funeral service will be held Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Gillisonville Baptist Church, 10158 Grays Highway, Ridgeland, SC. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

      Memorial Donations may be made to Gillisonville Baptist Church.