Fulton Bethune “Chip” Creech III, 72, husband of Patty Gates Creech, died Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at his home. Born in Charleston, SC, March 31, 1949, he was the son of the late Fulton B. Creech, Jr. and Dorothy Mack Creech. Chip lived in Sumter his entire life. He graduated from Edmunds High School in 1967 and Clemson University in 1974 with B.S. degree in Building Construction. He was the past owner of Creech and Lynam Construction Company and was retired from his property management company, F. B. Creech III, LLC. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army and served in the Vietnam War, a member of the 11th Armored Calvary Black Horse Regiment. Mr. Creech was a life-long member of First Presbyterian Church. Called “Birddog” by his friends, he loved music and he loved to shag. He was a member and past DJ and president of the Sumter Shag Club and also a member of the Camden Shag Club. Chip was a member of the National Modena Club Hall of Fame. He is survived by his wife of Sumter; two daughters, Laura Creech Tisdale (William) and Katie Creech Kinard (Brad); stepdaughter, Wendi Clemmons Burke (Jim), stepson, Corey Clemmons (Heather); grandchildren, Jay Tisdale, Jacob Sanders, and John Bradley, Mary Frances, Elizabeth, and Daniel Kinard, Steven Burke, Becca Hasbrook, and Devon, Sidney, Charley, and Morgan Clemmons; and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Stephen M. Creech (Kathy); sister, Ann C. Bolen (Barry), Elaine C. Benson (John) and a number of nieces and nephews. Mr. Creech was preceded in death by his parents, a stepson, Ronald Clemmons, and a grandson, Zachary Tompkins. The family will receive friends from 3 P.M. to 5 P.M. Monday, November 29, 2021, at the Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held at 2 P.M. Tuesday, November 30, 2021, at Sumter Cemetery. Pallbearers will be stepson, Corey Clemmons; brothers-in-law, Buddy Lester, Barry Bolen, and John Benson; friends, E. J. Mercer, Harry Duke, and Keith Williamson.. Memorials may be made to the SC Alzheimer’s Association, 140 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 210, Columbia, SC 29210 or to First Presbyterian Church, 9 W. Calhoun Street, Sumter, SC 29150. On-line condolences may be made at www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.