William Tommy South

William Tommy (Tom) South, 69, of Summerville, SC passed away peacefully on October 30, 2025 at the Veterans Victory House in Walterboro, SC. 

Tom was born on July 18, 1956 in Florence, AL to the late Gladys Corrine (Sharp) South and Thomas Crayton South, both of Florence, AL.

Tom was born and raised in the Florence/Waterloo/Muscle Shoals area of Alabama. He attended Waterloo High School from 1972-1974 where he left and joined the U.S. Navy. 

He was a plank owner of the CVN-69 Dwight D. Eisenhower and was discharged in 1978. After the military, Tom attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Institute where he earned an Associates Degree in Aviation Maintenance Management in 1982, thus accomplishing a career in aviation and maintenance spanning 36 years. 

Tom enjoyed playing pool, fishing, wood working, building model airplanes, playing golf, tinkering with guns and ammo and watching Alabama Crimson Tide football.

Tom is preceded in death by both of his parents, his stepmother Peggy South, his sister Vicki Lynn and brother Bobby Lance.

He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Mary (Angela) South of Clinton, MS, his brother Timothy Karl South of Jackson, MS, two daughters Vicki Ann (Jamie) Sides of Summerville, SC, Karlie Miranda (Jeremy) Emerson of Clinton, MS, his son William Tommy (Nicole) South II of Celina, TX, his stepsons Samuel Lee (Elizabeth) Wilkins of Brandon, MS and Taylor (Ty) Houston Wilkins of Jackson, MS. He was a loving grandfather and will be missed by his grandchildren Samuel, Matthew and Myla Sides, Knoxx and Kannon Emerson, Colton, Hayes and Natalie South and Walker and Walton Wilkins.

A Celebration of Life and sprinkling of ashes will be held on December 13, 2025 in Florence, Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be made to a charity of your choice.