WILLIAM RUTLEDGE DINGLE JR.

William Rutledge Dingle Jr., 74, spouse of Melony Morton Dingle, died on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, at his home.

Born in Sumter, he was a son of William Rutledge Dingle and Frances Chandler Dingle of Summerton. He graduated from Presbyterian College and the University of South Carolina. In addition, he served as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve, until he was honorably discharged in 1979. He was a dedicated educator, teaching for 20 years, acting as administrative assistant for two years, and serving as the principal of Sumter High School for 15 years. He also served as president of the Secondary Principal's Division of the South Carolina Association of Secondary Administrators, and he was recognized as a Class AAAA Principal of the Year by the South Carolina Athletic Administrators Association. He served his community in the Sunrise Rotary Club and the Derthick Education Foundation Board of Directors. He was also a deacon at Salem Black River Presbyterian Church, Mayesville.

Survivors include his spouse of Sumter; his three children, William Dingle (Brittany), Julia Dingle Robinson (Greg) and Jayne Dingle; his grandchildren, William Dingle and Madeline Dingle; his in-laws, Jimmy and Julia Morton; a sister, Mary Fran Dingle; and a number of cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Sumter High School.

The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at Sumter High School.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the Sumter SPCA Humane Organization, 1140 S. Guignard Drive, Sumter, SC 29150.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.