Rev. Grady W. Yonce

AIKEN, SC – THE REVEREND GRADY WESLEY YONCE, SR., died Monday April 7, 2008 at his residence. He was much loved by his family, his congregation, and his community. Rev. Yonce served in the Armed Services Branch of the military during WWII. He was a part of the 6th Armored Division, 9th Armed Infantry Battalion. He was awarded the certificate of merit as an Ammunition Bearer, for constantly demonstrating courage, aggressiveness and unwavering loyalty, and contributing materially to the combat successes of his organization. Rev. Yonce was licensed to preach the gospel on June 12, 1955 and publicly ordained to the work of the Gospel Ministry by the Council of Baptist Churches of the Aiken Baptist Association on September 11, 1955. He was an Associate Pastor at Green Pond Baptist Church, a Pastor at Rocky Springs Baptist Church for 15 years and the Pastor at Pineview Baptist Church for 18 years. He was employed with Clearwater Finishing Plant for 35 years. He owned and operated Yonce Service Station and then Yonce Feed and Seed from 1970 to 2007. He was a member of Pineview Baptist Church, and was a faithful servant of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. During his long illness he continually offered praises and thanksgiving to God and was a source of inspiration and light to his family, friends, and community. Rev. Yonce leaves behind a faithful and loving wife, Bernice Widener Yonce, two sons and daughters-in-law; Grady W. and Beth Yonce, Jr. of Aiken, SC and Harry M. and Susie Yonce of Albany, GA, his nine grandchildren; Tony A Yonce, Tammy D Yonce, Timothy A Yonce, Kerrie B. Yonce, Christopher W. Yonce, George W. Yonce, Raymond E. Olson, James R. Olson, and Christopher D. Olson, eight great-grandchildren Cameron Yonce, Savana Yonce, Charleston Yonce, Darin Yonce, Olivia Yonce, Cody Olson, Kaitlin Yonce and Emily Yonce; two great-great-grandchildren Delayni Thornhill and Jeremy Olson; four sisters Eloise Bell, Ann Hodges, Bessie Mae Yonce, and Betty Jean DuBose, and two brothers Vernon Yonce and Watson Yonce. Rev. Yonce is predeceased by his father, George Washington Yonce, his mother, Effie Mae Raborn, two brothers, George M. Yonce and Cecil W. Yonce, and two sisters, Ella Mae Yonce and Geneva Tomlin. Funeral services will be held at Green Pond Baptist Church, Thursday at 2:00 PM with the Reverend’s Roy Morgan and Davis Barton officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Chistopher W. Yonce, George W. Yonce, Timothy A. Yonce, Tony A. Yonce, Raymond E. Olson, James R. Olson, Christopher D. Olson and Larry Bell. Honorary Pallbearers will be Clyde Dehart, Bob Dehart, and J. D. Carr. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6 to 8 PM at Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home, 715 East Pine Log Rd. Aiken, SC. Memorial contributions may be directed to Green Pond Baptist Church, P. O. Box 91, Jackson, SC 29831 or Pineview Baptist Church, P.O. Box 157, New Ellenton, SC 29809. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rev. Grady W. Yonce, please visit our flower store.