George William Padgett, 87, passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at his home surrounded by his family.

Born in Saluda County, Mr. Padgett was the son of the late George William "G.W." Padgett and Othell Lorick Padgett and the devoted husband of Pansy Berry Padgett.

Following graduation from Saluda High School, he earned a football scholarship to Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he played football for five seasons while earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. Mr. Padgett proudly served in the South Carolina National Guard with the 122nd Engineer Company (CSE) of Saluda.

He dedicated 42 years of faithful service in wood procurement with Canal Wood Corporation before retiring. Mr. Padgett also raised beef cattle and was a tree farmer, a pursuit that brought him great satisfaction and allowed him to remain closely connected to the land he loved.

A member of Good Hope Baptist Church, Mr. Padgett was also an active member of the Saluda County Forestry Association. He found enjoyment in golfing, quail hunting, and camping, creating many cherished memories with family and friends.

Above all, Mr. Padgett's greatest joy was his family. He deeply loved his grandchildren and treasured every opportunity to spend time with them. Whether cheering from the sidelines, sitting in the stands, or simply being present, he never missed the chance to support them in their extracurriculars. His unwavering love, encouragement, and quiet presence will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him.

Surviving in addition to his wife are two daughters, Allison Long (Mike) and Gina Corley (Ted), all of Saluda; three grandchildren, Brandon Padgett (Hailey), Anna C. Long (Jason), and Travis Long (Olivia); three great-grandchildren, Kirkley Padgett, Kamdyn Padgett, and Mary Anne Long; a sister-in-law, Kay Padgett; a nephew, Justin Padgett (Jennifer); a niece-in-law, Daphine Padgett; a great-nephew, Wesley Padgett; and a great-niece, Maddie Padgett.

Mr. Padgett was preceded in death by a brother, Nelson Padgett and a nephew, Reggie Padgett.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to his long-time physicians, Dr. Bill Sawyer and Dr. John Holman, and their dedicated staff for the exceptional care they provided over the years. They also express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Ahmad Rahal and the caring staff at Self Regional Healthcare, including the Emergency Care Center (ECC), 7 Tower Telemetry Unit, Home Health, and most recently, Hospice & Palliative Care of the Piedmont, for their compassionate care and unwavering support.

The family is deeply grateful for the many expressions of love, encouragement, prayers, and kindness shown to them during this difficult time. Your support has been a tremendous source of comfort and strength.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m., Monday, July 20, 2026 at Good Hope Baptist Church with Rev. Lee Going and Rev. Burton Campbell officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Good Hope Baptist Church, Playground Equipment, 6682 Greenwood Highway, Saluda, SC 29138 or Saluda County Forestry Association Scholarship Fund, c/o Didi Rankin, PO Box 653, Saluda, SC 29138.