J. Willock Horton

J. Willock Horton peacefully passed away at his home on Thursday, May 18, 2023.  He was a devoted husband, loving father, and was adored by his family and friends.

Willock was born on November 28, 1942, to Edmond Willock (EW) and Myra Moore Horton, in Ridgeland, SC, and lived in this area all of his life.

He married the love of his life, Linda Buckles Horton, and they had 61 wonderful years together.  The union of their love resulted in a large, loving family. He was an avid outdoorsman, but really loved fishing in the Gator Holes of the Savannah River and Lake George in Florida. He loved the South Carolina Gamecocks, and his little dog Abby, and enjoyed bird watching with Linda from their breakfast nook. 

Willock was a builder, first working with his family and eventually starting his own company, Certified Builders.  During that time, he built over 300 structures which were both residential and commercial.

Willock contributed extensively to his community in many ways:  He was on the Board of Directors for Palmetto Electric Cooperative for 42 years, 14 of which were as Chairman.  He was also Chairman of the Jasper County Silent Witness Program and President of the Beaufort/Jasper Home Builders Association. He was a member of various other organizations throughout the years, including the Hardeeville Chamber of Commerce, the Advisory Board of South Carolina Bank and Trust, the Jaycees, and was a founding member of the Hilton Head Gators Sports Youth Organization.

He helped his community in so many ways, but never wanted recognition.  That was not why he did it.  He had such a drive to help people around him!  The ways that he gave back to his community included donating to the Highway Patrol to help purchase bullet-proof vests, helping the University of South Carolina Beaufort campus complete their landscaping plan, helping out the Hardeeville Marine Rescue Squadron whenever the opportunity arose, and donating AEDs to the City of Hardeeville. These are but a few of his significant contributions to the community.  There are countless individuals that he helped in their time of need with no thought or need of recognition.

Survivors include his wife, Linda, his sister, Carolyn Lyons McMinn, his children: Bill (Mary K) Horton, Suzi Morris, and Selena (Paul) Mikell, his grandchildren: Nikki (TR) Cannon, Jamie Brown, Heather (Matt) Berkey, Shannon (T.J.) Miner, Ashley (Chris) Collins, Kati Jo (Tyler) Pitre, Sami Morris (Micheal Humbert), Christopher (Tori) Mikell, and Stephen Mikell, and his great grandchildren: Hannah (Kylie), Therion, Mia, Jacquie, Danica, Tripp, Genny, James, Loretta, and Harper.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3080 Okatie Highway, Okatie, S.C. The Family thanks Vaigneur Funeral Home for their assistance during this time.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.