Donald Willard Ropp

Columbia, SC - Donald Willard Ropp, 88, died Monday August 29, 2011 at the Laurel Crest Retirement Center in West Columbia, SC. Born on January 26, 1923 in Batesburg, SC. He was a long-time resident of Aiken until several years ago when he moved to Columbia to be closer to his family. He was the widower of Christine Hahn Ropp and the son of the late A. Guy and Ammie Ropp. Mr. Ropp attended schools in Grosse Pointe, Michigan then attended Duke University and the University of South Carolina. He served in the US Army in New Guinea and South Philippines during World War II. Mr. Ropp was the previous owner and founder of Automotive Parts and Equipment Company and member and former president of Aiken Businessman Club. Mr. Ropp served on the board of Palmetto Federal Bank of SC. He was an active amateur golfer and promoter of golf in SC and was a past President of the South Carolina Golf Association. Mr. Ropp was a long time member of St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church in Aiken. Mr. Ropp is survived by his daughters Patricia and her husband Jim Wadford of Columbia, SC and Nancy and her husband Jeff Price also of Columbia, SC; four granddaughters, Leah and her husband Woody Inman of Columbia, SC, Christa and her husband Dr. Creighton Likes III of Greenville, SC, Meg and her husband Matthew Turner of Laurens, SC, and Liz and her husband Ryan Brewer of Columbia, SC: also seven great-grandchildren, which were his pride and joy. His sister in law Janet Ropp of Aiken, along with nephews Richard Ropp , Bob Wade, Ronald Wade, Steve Hahn, Michael Hahn and nieces Beverly Mitchell and Joanne Ropp. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Christine Hahn Ropp, and brother, A.G. Ropp Jr. The family would like to thank the Laurel Crest Retirement Center and staff for their constant and loving care. Mr. Joseph Crump, Chaplin at Laurel Crest, for his constant spiritual guidance and friendship, and for the wonderful comfort provided by Regency Hospice. The funeral will be held Thursday September 1, 2011, 3:00p.m. at St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church 125 Pendleton St. Aiken, SC 29801 with burial to follow in the church cemetery with The Reverend Joseph Whitehurst officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the Stevenson-McClelland Building. The family requests in lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church 125 Pendleton St. Aiken, SC 29801 or Laurel Crest Retirement Center 100 Joseph Walker Drive West Columbia, SC 29169. Mr. Ropp's online guest book may be signed at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Willard Ropp, please visit our flower store.