George William "Bill" Escue, 83, of Columbia, went home to be with his heavenly Father, May 31, 2017. Born on May 19, 1934, in Augusta, GA, he was a son of the late Robert Barry Escue and Florrie Eaves Escue. Bill was a graduate of Dreher High School and attended Clemson University. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and worked in the moving and storage business. In 1979 he established his own warehouse storage and distribution business, Escue Distribution, Inc. He served as President of the Southeastern Warehouse Association and served on the Board of the Camden Military Academy. He was a member of Shandon Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and director of a senior adult Sunday school class. He was very active in the outreach department and visiting the homebound. He also served four terms on the Board of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, one of which as Vice Chairman. In 1980, he and his beloved wife Mary Key founded SQ Rescue, Inc. in Columbia where they worked diligently in the rescue and adoption of abandoned animals. He was a member of Spring Valley Country Club and served on the Board of Governors. Bill enjoyed working in his yard and playing golf regularly; even making a hole in one. He loved his family unconditionally and was dearly loved by many. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Bill is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Key Niggel Escue; children, Karen Cody Brodka (Frank), Katherine Renee Snyder (Wayne), and Nancy Elizabeth Glasgow; grandchildren, Benjamin Wayne Snyder, James Davis Glasgow, Jr., Sarah Grace Glasgow, and Catherine Elizabeth Glasgow; and their father, Jim Glasgow. He is also survived by nephews, Robert Edward Escue, David Allen Escue (Karen), Roger Samuel Dail (Nancy), Thomas Alan Dail (Mimi), Jeffrey Lynn Dail (Julie); nieces, Kathleen Louise Brewer, Florrie Elizabeth Escue; sister-in-law, Janice Marilyn Escue; niece-in-law, Brenda Shumaker Dail; as well as many great nephews and great nieces. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Barry Escue, Jr., his sister, Mary Joyce Escue Dail, and his nephew, Barry Carlton Dail.

After a private family burial, a memorial service will be held Monday, June 5, 2017 at 12:00 noon at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, with the Reverend L. Barry Gray officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to SQ Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 291450, Columbia, SC 29229 and the Alzheimer Association at www.alz.org .

The family would like to express their love and gratitude to Mary Key's friend, Elizabeth Geiger, who traveled weekly with her for four years to visit her husband in Charlotte, the incredible loving and caring staff of Brookdale South Park, Charlotte and to Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region.