William Pherigo
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William Louis Pherigo (Bill) passed away at home surrounded by his wife Sandra and his beloved Boykin Spaniel Brew. He was 80 years old.
Bill was born in Charleston, SC on December 22, 1941, the son of William Earl and Mary Wertz Pherigo. He grew up in Mt. Pleasant and Pherigo Street still bears his family's name.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sandra Barber Pherigo, his sister Kay Pherigo Isenhower, one son, William Louis Pherigo, Jr., his wife Suzanne Shouman Pherigo and granddaughter Callie Christine Pherigo.
After graduating from the University of South Carolina in 1963, Bill began a 57 year career in banking. He began his career with The Citizens and Southern National Bank (C&S) and grew quickly through the management ranks to Senior Executive Vice President and Board Member. In 1991, Bill joined The National Bank of South Carolina (NBSC) as President and Chief Operating Officer, and later named CEO. Bill was a Board Member of NBSC, and after a merger, a member of The Synovus Board of Directors.
Bill benefitted early in his career at C&S by the investment in his professional development. Bill graduated from The Graduate School of Banking of the South at LSU, and later taught there and became its President. He graduated from Harvard University Business School Advanced Management Program and The American Bankers Association Graduate School of Consumer Credit.
Like all successful bankers, Bill was actively involved in many community and state-wide boards and activities. Among others, he was a Board Member of The South Carolina State Chamber, The Medical University of South Carolina Board of Visitors, Junior Achievement, The South Carolina Medical Association, South Carolina ETV, SCBIPEC, and was a Past Chairman of The South Carolina Bankers Association.
From the time Bill was responsible for Human Resources for C&S Bank, he focused on the professional development of his bank's work force. As a result of these investments in his people there are, even today, many senior executives in the South Carolina banking industry that got their start and training from C&S. At the recent annual meeting of the South Carolina Bankers Association, it was noted that 5 of the 6 newly elected members of the Executive Committee are C&S veterans.
Bill was an avid outdoorsman. He would rather be in a boat, a deer stand, a dove field, or the quail woods, than anywhere. He enjoyed many hunting and fishing trips throughout the US, South and Central America, Canada and Mexico. In his later years, he became a "gentleman farmer" and spent hours each year planting wildlife food plots.
Bill said many times that someone's true legacy is not in their individual accomplishments, but the accomplishment of others they touched and helped influence.
Bill Pherigo touched and influenced more than he ever knew and will be missed by many.
The service for Mr. Pherigo will be held at 11 o'clock on Thursday, June 30th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, SC. A reception will follow the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Oliver Gospel, PO Box 7697, Columbia, SC 29202.
Memories and condolences may be shared at ShivesFuneralHome.com