LANCASTER, SCMr. Will Deese, Jr., age 88, died Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill. He was born June 30, 1927 in Lancaster, a son of the late Will Deese, Sr. and the late Della Vick Deese and was the husband of Dora Phillips Deese. Mr. Deese retired from Springs Industries as a Supervisor. He enjoyed camping at Springmaid Beach and loved spending time with his family and friends, especially his wife of 66 years. Mr. Deese was a devoted Shriner and served as Sir Knight at the Lancaster Commandery No. 19. He was a member of the Jackson Masonic Lodge #53 and received a 50 year member pen and a member of the American Legion. Mr. Deese served our great country in the United States Army during World War II. He was a very dedicated and active member of Immanuel Baptist Church

Mr. Deese is survived by his wife, Dora Phillips Deese; a son, Kelvin Murl Deese and his wife, Wanda of Lancaster; a daughter, Phyllis Deese Leventis and her husband, George A. Sr., of Mt. Pleasant, SC; four grandchildren, Kent Deese and his wife, Adrian, Traci Deese Shigley and her husband, Todd, George Leventis, Jr. and Christopher Leventis, both of Mt. Pleasant, SC; three great-grandchildren, Hudson Deese, Julia Claire Deese and Eliza Shigley; and many special nieces and nephews.

Mr. Deese was preceded in death by two brothers, Larry Deese and Gilbert Deese; and a sister, Shirley Deese Hardin.

The Celebration of Life Funeral Service for Mr. Deese will be 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 9, 2016 at Immanuel Baptist Church by Rev. Tim Anderson. Burial with military honors and Masonic Rights will follow at Lancaster Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends prior to the service, from 12:30 - 2:00 pm, Saturday in the church fellowship hall. Memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church, 1152 Great Falls Highway, Lancaster, SC 29720 or to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.