William Thomas "Billy" Deaton, Jr.

The memorial service for William “Billy” Thomas Deaton, Jr., 71, of Columbia, will be held on Friday, February 17, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Riverland Hills Baptist Church (201 Lake Murray Boulevard, Irmo, SC 29063). The Reverend Bill Haselden will officiate. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday, February 16, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Billy was born on March 29, 1951, in Camden, SC, and passed away on Friday, February 10, 2023. He was the son of William T. Deaton, Sr., and Eleanor Lucille Croxton Deaton. He was reared in Calvary Baptist Church of Columbia and continued practicing his faith at Riverland Hills Baptist Church of Irmo. Billy was a product of Richland One schools, having graduated from Dreher High School in 1969. He played on the Dreher High School baseball team that defeated Greenwood High School to win the State Championship in 1969 at Newberry College. After high school, he received his Associate’s Degree from Midlands Technical College in IT. Billy loved the game of football, whether it was playing, officiating or just watching live or on TV. While in high school, he played for the Dreher Blue Devils. After graduating high school, Billy traded his helmet for a coaching hat with Pop Warner; then traded his coaching hat for an officials hat. Billy was selected to officiate the North-South High School All-Star Football game in 1984. From 1986-1988, served as the Chief Umpire for the South Carolina Football Officials Association (SCFOA), in District 5, followed by serving the same District as the Director from 1990-1994. Over a span of 10 years, 1986-1996, Billy served as the Field Judge and Umpire for 6 State Championship games. Billy joined SAC 8 in 1991 and was a member of the Bronze Derby Classic between Newberry and Presbyterian Colleges. Continuing his on-field career, in 1993, Billy officiated the 57th Annual Shrine Bowl in Charlotte, NC. Billy was honored in 2000 with the Outstand Official Award by the Columbia Football Officials Association and Football Official of the Year by the National Federation Officials Association. After hanging up his middle-of-the-field black and white hat, he was inducted into South Carolina Football Officials Association Hall of Fame in 2005. Billy just couldn’t stay away from the field and became part of the chain crew for his beloved University of South Carolina Gamecocks in 1999, working the play clock, under Coaches Lou Holtz and Steve Spurrier. If you couldn’t find Billy close to a football field, you could find him at a baseball field. After playing in high school, he began coaching at Seven Oaks Park and became affectionally known as “Coach Deaton” to many impressionable young men. One of his greatest memories was coaching the 1985 Irmo American team; taking that team all the way to the Dixie Youth Baseball (DYB) World Series in NC, placing 3rd, after winning the district and state titles. Billy served as the District 4 Director, State Director (1996-2000), National Director (2000-2011), and Deputy Commissioner for DYB. In recognition of his service and outstanding achievements in the development of baseball for the youth of SC through loyalty and personal sacrifice, Billy was inducted into the South Carolina DYB Hall of Fame on February 20, 2016. Billy enjoyed the “relaxing” game of golf playing anywhere from 3-5 days per week and taking trips out to AZ to play with friends. He was a member of Mid Carolina Club, where he had a ball playing with the Senior Men’s Group, and serving on the Board of Directors. Billy found joy in supporting the Scott Hannon Memorial and The Jimmer Golf Tournaments. Billy’s children and grandchildren were some of the most important people in his life. He made time to coach both of his daughters when they were playing softball. When his grandchildren were born, he would make sure that he was in attendance to as many of their activities as possible. Family was very important to him, and he could be heard talking about his kids and grandkids all the time. He was a SC state employee for over 35 years; serving as Data Processor at the University of SC and later in the SC State Treasurer’s Office. Billy is survived by daughters, Beth Deaton Tarver (Travis) of Newberry, SC, and Berri Gayle Dunn of Manassas Park, VA. He is also survived by his sister Cindy D. Fulton (Jim) of West Columbia, SC; his grandchildren Robby Curry, Sami Curry, Abi Dunn; a niece, Savannah Fulton; and many cousins. Billy was preceded in death by his parents. Honorary pallbearers will be the 1985 Irmo American baseball team and coaches, State and National DYB Directors, members of the South Carolina Football Officials Association, and Mid Carolina Club Senior Men's group. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mid Carolina Club Senior Men’s Club (3593 Kiblers Bridge Road, Prosperity, SC 29127), SCDBY Scholarship Fund (1358 Deercreek Drive, Manning, SC 29102), or Be the Match at bethematch.org.