Obituary of William Thomas Player, Jr.

William Thomas Player, Jr., 81, died Saturday November 2, 2024 at Prisma Tuomey Health. Born in Sumter, he was a son of the late William Thomas Player, Sr. and Annie Bell Griffin Player. Mr. Player was a member of First Christian Church in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He was the retired General Manager of Ackerman Metal and was a National Guard Reserve veteran. He played baseball and coached in Sumter for many years. He loved fishing and loved to share his stories with his friends at The Garden. Surviving are two sons, Brantley Turner Player (Marianne) and Roger William Player (Kellee); a daughter, Chylene Player Burdick (Paul); a brother, Bobby Player; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Elaine Rittle and his widows, Helga Gertsner Player and Barbara Pullen Player. Memorial Services will be held at 3 PM Sunday in the Chapel of the Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home with Rev. Caleb DuBose officiating. The family will receive friends following the memorial service. The family would like to extend thanks for his caregivers in Oak Ridge, TN and in Sumter for all the love and care they gave him through his Parkinson’s journey. Memorials may be made to Sumter United Ministries, 36 S. Artillery Dr. Sumter, SC 29150. On-line condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.