Donald L. Witham

Donald Leo “Don” Witham, age 82, of Bethune S.C., passed away, Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at MUSC Downtown, Columbia, S.C. Don was born in Fort Riley, Kansas on September 29, 1942, to the late Donald Edwin Witham and Catherine “Cassie” Kinnamon.

At age 5, he moved to South Carolina with his paternal grandparents Fred and Margaret Brandt. They lived on a farm in the Ashwood community near Bishopville.Don graduated from Ashwood-Central High School in 1960.

He continued his academic and athletic path at Anderson Junior College where he was a two-sport athlete, playing baseball and basketball. He later finished his education at the University of South Carolina where he graduated in 1964 with a BS in Business Administration and later obtained his MBA in 1978.

A testament to Don’s determination and ambition was that to continue his higher education he would need to hitchhike his way to college from his rural farm town because he lacked transportation. A trait of determination and commitment that continued throughout his personal and professional life.After college, he served in the S.C. Army National Guard and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1967.

Don married Francine Hinson on October 21, 1965. That same year, he also began his career at Sonoco Products Company in Hartsville, S.C.; a successful career that would span over four decades. While employed with Sonoco he worked in multiple divisions including Consumer Products and High Density Film Products.

He loved the town of Bethune and served its residents in many ways. He was elected to serve on the town council for several terms and worked tirelessly on securing multiple grants for the betterment of the town, including a new water system.There was no bigger advocate for the Bethune Schools than Don. He worked unselfishly, persistently, publicly and privately on securing the future of the schools.He and Francine were members of the original Bethune Chicken Strut Committee and helped make the festival a success for many years. He was also a member of the Bethune Lions Club and Lynchwood Lodge.

Don served on the Kershaw County Hospital Board for a number of years and twice as chairman of the Board of Trustees. His tenure would include opening the Healthcare Place at Bethune in 1997 which is still a vital part of the community.

He was a faithful member of Bethune Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and church moderator for many years.Don was an avid golfer and looked forward to his standing Sunday afternoon game with his golfing buddies.He was preceded in death by his wife Francine and special cousin Bob Teal.

He is survived by two daughters and five grandchildren, Terri Lynn Regier and her two children, Margaret (Maggie) and Davis and Tanya Eubanks and her husband, Troy and their children, Emma, Carrie, and Evan. Also half siblings, Tom Witham, Nancy Diepenbrock, Shirley Griffin and Joe Witham of Kansas.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. in Bethune Baptist Church Cemetery. The burial will follow in the church cemetery. Rev. Scott Bernshausen will officiate. The family will greet friends in the cemetery following the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethune Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, C/O Bethune Baptist Church, P.O. Box 326, Bethune, S.C. 29009.

Arrangements are under the care of Baker Funeral Home, Kershaw, S.C.