Wylie B. Humphries

Wylie Bailey Humphries, 90, of Columbia, passed away on November 13, 2024. He was born on July 8, 1934 in Florence County, and was the eldest son of the late Jack Wylie and Estelle Bailey Humphries. Wylie attended Florence County public schools, graduating in 1953. He joined the US Army at Fort Jackson, right out of high school, and served for 3 years in Japan as Company Clerk for 1st Cavalry Command Division. Wylie met and married his loving wife of 57 years, Patricia Ann Thompson, the daughter of Rev. James J. and Ruby Price Thompson. He joined Southern Bell Telephone Company in Florence, as a lineman in January of 1957. Wylie retired in April of 1991 as Special Services Center Manager in Columbia. During his telephone career, he participated in the operator (Number, Please) to dial service conversion for most of the PeeDee region of SC. He was also manager of the Toll Test operations switching center in Florence. Wylie was instrumental in developing a computerized special service design model which was implemented in all 22 Bell Operating Companies until Divestiture of the Bell System. He returned to BellSouth in 1975, assuming management of the Orangeburg Network Group. Wylie and Ann moved their family to Columbia in 1980 to manage the newly formed SC Special Service Center, where he remained until his retirement in 1991. Wylie was a member of St. Andrews Baptist church and the American Legion. He enjoyed spending time with his family, going camping, and researching genealogy. Those left to mourn his loss include his sons: James K. Humphries (Darlene), Thomas W. Humphries (Cassee), Alan P. Humphries (Pam), and David A. Humphries (Terri); sister: Sherelle H. Revell; his brother: Rev. Jack S. Humphries (Cathy); twelve grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Wylie was predeceased by his wife, Patricia Ann Humphries. A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, November 18, 2024 in the Chapel of Temples-Halloran Funeral Home, 5400 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until the hour of service. Burial will follow in Bush River Memorial Gardens. Rev. Bill Haselden will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Wylie's memory to the Epworth Children's Home, 2900 Millwood Avenue Columbia, South Carolina, 29205.