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of Manning, South Carolina His birth certificate gives his date of birth as 4 Sep 1915. The Item- 4 Apr 2004 Reported by Sharron Haley- Manning, South Carolina- Walter Scott Richbourg • 1915-2004 Former Clarendon auditor remembered for love of family, friends • A hat cocked on the side of his head, twinkling eyes and a smiling, “Hey, how’re you,” are the ways many of his friends and acquaintances remembered Walter Scott Richbourg. He was a devoted family man who proudly displayed photographs of his late wife, Rubye, his daughter, Peggy Sue, his granddaughters, Susan and Carrie Anna, and numerous other family members and friends throughout his home. ¶ While he loved his family that included four brothers and four sisters, he loved the county where he was born and worked all of his life. There weren’t too many people in the county that he didn’t know. He was affectionately called “Mr. Walter” and “W. S.” and everyone who knew him well loved to spend time with him talking about the past. ¶ He was a member of Liberty Freewill Baptist Church, St. Peter’s Masonic Lodge and the American Legion Williams-Burgess Post 68. He was also a U. S. Army veteran who served in World War II. ¶ After his tour of duty in the Army, he returned home and farmed in the small Bloomville community. ¶ Because Richbourg was so well liked and respected by his friends and family, many of them encouraged him to run for auditor, a position he held in Clarendon County for more than 20 years. ¶ Richbourg was elected to begin serving as Clarendon County auditor on July 1, 1967, but he went to work for the county five months earlier on Feb. 13, 1967, when he was appointed to serve out his predecessor’s term. ¶ “He was absolutely wonderful to work with,” former Clarendon County Treasurer Margaret Jackson said. “He was certainly a big help for me when I came to office in 1980.” ¶ Jackson said Richbourg would come to work early and leave late every day and his knowledge of how the auditor’s office and treasurer’s office worked together made her job so much easier. ¶ “He was my friend,” she said Saturday afternoon. “He was fair and kind and he ran a wonderful office.” ¶ Richbourg knew everyone in the county, where they lived and who their family members were, Jackson said. ¶ Senator John C. Land, D-Manning, remembers RIchbourg as a tireless worker who was fair and a “true gentleman.” ¶ “Mr. Richbourg did so much for the office of auditor,” Land said. “He brought it to the high level it is today.” ¶ Land referred to Richbourg as a “true professional” who served all the citizens of Clarendon County fairly. ¶ “I loved the way he wore his hat,” Land said. “It was cocked on the side of his head just like he was always on the side of fairness in Clarendon County.” ¶ RIchbourg retired from the auditor’s office in 1967; but two years later, then-chairman of Clarendon County Council Betty Roper lured him into politics again. With his extensive knowledge of the county and his devotion to its citizens, RIchbourg won the DIstrict 2 seat on Clarendon County Council, a position he held for one term. ¶ “I am proud to have served with Mr. Walter,” Roper said. “He had a deep dedication and love for Clarendon County. He was an exceptional man.” ¶ After retiring from his seat on council, RIchbourg devoted more of his time to his family and his home, spending a lot of his time outdoors. ¶ A true gentleman, a friend, a historian, a man who dearly loved his family and his county, Richbourgh will be sorely missed by all. ¶ Funeral services will be held today at Stephens Funeral Home in Manning. ¶ Memorials may be made to Liberty Freewill Baptist Church, 2761 Liberty Church Road, Manning, SC 29102 or to a charity of one’s choice. [2, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12] |
1915 - 2004 (88 years)
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