AIKEN, S.C. – William Cecil Casper, former chancellor of the University of South Carolina, Aiken, died Monday, Dec. 11, 2006, at his home in Aiken.

Mr. Casper was born in China Grove, N.C., to the late Will and Mary Goodnight Casper and had lived in Aiken for the past 36 years. He served his country in the U.S. Navy and was the first chancellor of USC Aiken, serving from 1963 until 1982.

Mr. Casper is credited with leading the school’s transition from a two-year to a four-year college. Additionally, he was able to bring many members of the community together to work for the betterment of the school. After his first retirement in 1982, he continued to teach business classes at the college for several years.

Mr. Casper was predeceased by wife Gwladys Casper; brother Arnold Casper; and sisters Zelia Martin, Pauline Russell, Mabel Lamb, Frances Weaver, Montice Osborne and Ruth Hogan.

Mr. Casper is survived by a special family, Dorothy Piver and husband Snow Piver Sr., Mary George, Linda Piver and Snow Piver Jr., and other relatives Ed Rusher Jr., Alan A. Both, Myra Casper Patterson, Judy Casper Beaver, Karen McCorkle, Kevin Osborne and Betty Stirewalt.

Memorial Service: Friday at 2 p.m. at George Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 211 Park Ave., S.W., Aiken. Interment will be with his wife in private service at Southlawn Cemetery Saturday.

Memorials: Bill Casper Scholarship Fund, c/o Aiken Partnership at USC Aiken, 471 University Pkwy., Aiken, SC 29801.

Visit www.GeorgeFuneralHomes.com to view the obituary and sign the online condolence register.