EDGEFIELD, S.C. - Mr. Hillery Samuel Crouch, Sr., 85, husband of Aline Williams Crouch, of Bausket St. died Friday, June 20, 2008 at Edgefield County Hospital. Funeral Services will be held Monday, June 23, 2008 at 11 AM at Edgefield United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Sunset Gardens Memorial Park. Mr. Crouch was born November 13, 1922 in Saluda, SC. He was the son of the late Lula Crawford and Hardy Gamewell Crouch. He attended Saluda County Schools and served in the United States Navy from 1941-1947 in the Pacific theater, attaining the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He founded Crouch Hardware Company in Edgefield in 1952. He was a member of Edgefield United Methodist Church, where he served as chairman of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee, church treasurer, and delegate to the Annual Conference for 11 years, choir member and other positions. He served on the Board of Trustees of both the Greenwood District and the Annual Conference of the SC United Methodist Church. He served on the Edgefield School District Board of Trustees for 18 years, as chairman for 5 years, and was named Chairman Emeritus upon retiring. Mr. Crouch served on the Board of Directors of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, and past state president. He was a member of the Edgefield Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, and first state president of the South Carolina Chapter of the NWTF. He was the founder of the South Carolina Turkey Calling Championship, past president of the South Carolina Association of Field Trial Clubs. He was appointed by three state governors as Advisor to the South Carolina Wildlife Commission. Survivors include his wife, one son- H. Sam (Jeannie) Crouch, Jr, Edgefield; one sister- Helen C. Ackerman, Columbia; one granddaughter- Sandy (Joe) Brusca, Jacksonville, Fla; and 2 great-grandsons. Memorials may be made to Edgefield United Methodist Church General Fund, P.O. Box 25, Edgefield, SC 29824; The Christian Children Fund, 2821 Emerywood Parkway, Richmond, VA 23294 or the charity of one's choice. Pallbearers will be Lewis Crouch, Jr., David Crouch, Sammy Crouch, Jimmy Ackerman, Ricky Ackerman, and Tommy Saggus. The family is at the home and will receive friends Sunday, June 22, 2008from 4 to 6 PM at Edgefield Mercantile Funeral Home. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com

The Augusta Chronicle-June 22, 2008