William "Billy" Charles Varn

William Charles “Billy” Varn, Bamberg, SC

Mr. William Charles “Billy” Varn, 68, died Saturday, August 17, 2019. A memorial service with military honors will be held at 2:00PM Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 11761 Heritage Highway, Bamberg, SC 29003. The family will receive friends at the church on Wednesday from 1:00PM until the time of service.

Billy was born August 12, 1951 in Orlando, Florida to the late Leonard Elmo Darden and Ruth Eliza Porter and was later adopted by the late Miles Jefferson Varn.  Billy served in the SC Army National Guard, earning the very first “Outstanding Guardsman of the Year” award in 1980.  He was active in the 108th Public Affairs detachment of the Guard, served overseas during his tenure and volunteered his time as a photographer for the National Guard Association of SC. Billy covered sports for Kilgus Printing Company. He retired from SI Group after 30 years in the Quality Control Lab. He was an avid kayaker, bicycler, hiker and, in his own words, a “motorcycle nut.”  

Billy is survived by his wife Carol Bell Varn, daughter Melanie Varn Ridenhour (Jason), beloved grandchildren Anna, Evan, and Emma Ridenhour, brother Leonard Darden, sister Charlyne Varn Graham, and several very dear nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his sister Jamie Wilson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bamberg County Chamber of Commerce’s Canoe/Kayak River Trips, 604 Airport Road, Bamberg, SC 29003 or the Wounded Warrior Project at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Cooner Funeral Home, LLC (www.coonerfuneralhome.com) 287 McGee St., Bamberg, SC 29003 is assisting the family with arrangements.