William Eugene Monroe, Sr.

William E. “Bill” Monroe Sr., 95, died on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at home in the Summit Hills Retirement Community. Born November 14, 1930, in Houston, Texas, he was the son of the late James B. Monroe and Olive Meneley Monroe. He was predeceased by his stepmother, Helen Timberlake Monroe and brother, James H. Monroe.

Mr. Monroe graduated from Clemson College with a BS degree in Economics and was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army. He served as a tank commander in Korea from 1952-1954. Mr. Monroe was Division President of Thomas and Howard Co, where he retired after 40 years of service. He was a dedicated Rotarian, serving as President of the Rotary Club of Newberry, SC and as District Governor of District 7750 Upstate SC. He had perfect attendance for over 60 years. He was a member of Central United Methodist Church and was a coordinator of the Older Adult Ministries for a number of years. After moving into Summit Hills Retirement Community, he was elected Chairman of the Residence Advisory Council and later as Summit Hills Representative on the Community Senior Board.

Mr. Monroe is survived by his wife of almost 67 years, Betty Setzler Monroe of Newberry SC; a son, Billy Monroe and his wife, Sherie of Clinton, Arkansas; daughters, Betsy Antley and her husband, Marcus of Simpsonville, SC and Mary Glenn of Landrum, SC; five grandchildren, Trey Antley (Natalia), Will Antley, Dargan Antley, Steven Glenn (Michelle) and Savanna Glenn; 5 great grandchildren: Gavin, Gabriel, Catalina, and Dawson Antley and Valor Sojourner; and a sister, Margaret M. Wagener (Ken) of Gainesville, FL.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00pm on Monday, June 1, 2026, at Central United Methodist Church, 233 North Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306. Visitation will be in the church fellowship hall at 12:00pm, prior to the service. Graveside service will be held at 3:30pm in the Newberry Memorial Gardens, 15127 C.R. Koon Highway, Newberry, SC, 29108. Mr. Monroe’s grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. Members of the Upper Room Sunday School Class, the Rotary Club of Spartanburg and the Past District Governors of District 7750 are asked to serve as honorary escorts.

Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, 233 N. Church St., Spartanburg, SC 29306 or to The Rotary Foundation Permanent Fund, 1560 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201.

Floyd’s North Church Street