Born on May 12, 1980 in Columbia, SC, T.Sgt. Charles Wesley Starling Jr. (42) was ushered into heaven's pearly gates on May 18, 2022.

He served in the United States Air Force as a weapons specialist for more than fifteen years and retired with an honorable discharge in 2014. He earned numerous medals and accolades with deployments to Korea, Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan.

"Wes" was married to "Beckki" on April 23, 2022 and they were relishing in their honeymoon of a lifetime. The night before their return home from an Alaskan cruise after being married merely three and a half weeks, God called Wes home to see his Savior face to face.

Wes is survived by his loving wife, Rebecca Marie Starling, his nine children (listed by age), Samuel De Los Santos, Jeremiah Starling, Amelia Price, Kaylee, Alyssa, Molly, Ella, Brentley, and Bradley Starling. He is also survived by his father and mother, Rev. Charles Wesley Starling and Beverly, his younger brother Shelton (Brenda), two nephews, Ryan and Jacob, and his precious mother-in-law, Janis Price.

Wes is also survived by his grandfather, Rev. Thomas Alton Caldwell. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Wesley Starling, and both of his grandmothers, Eloise Starling and Mary Lee Caldwell.

His countless aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and neighbors have all been a blessing during this tragic loss. When we lost Wes, we lost the "class clown," the superhero buff, and a wonderful man with a vigor for life. He was (and still is) Beckki's "Superman." Wes always enjoyed making others laugh. His jokes, constant pranking, and breaking out in song, will forever be remembered by all who know and love him.

Wes is now with loved ones who have gone on before him. With the recent passing of Grandma Caldwell, I'm sure he's rejoicing knowing he was the first to see her—of course, making him the favorite! He's earned that special title (for now) by all his crazy cousins.

If you know Jesus as your personal Savior, we will all be reunited with Wes again one day. We all have an "appointment day" when we will all step out into eternity, we just never know when it will be. In this time of tragedy and sorrow, let's all remember to be mindful of what we do, what we say, and how we treat others. Mend broken relationships. Apologize. Forgive, but more importantly, forget. If you can't forget, then you've truly not forgiven. God does it for us everyday. Why can't we do it for others?

No one knows what a day may bring forth. Wes woke on the morning of May 18th not knowing in less than twenty-four hours, he would meet God. Let's honor him by loving others in the way he loved and adored Beckki and all of his precious children.

There's much comfort knowing Wes was incredibly happy here on earth just before he uttered his last three words, but more importantly, he had a personal relationship with God. This alone gives us peace knowing when he drew his last breath, he was gifted with an even better life on the other side.

I COULD ONLY IMAGINE…

The funeral service for Wes will be held at 11 o'clock, Tuesday, May 31st, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, SC 29223. Burial with military honors will follow at Fort Jackson National Cemetery at 1 o'clock. The family will receive friends Monday evening at the funeral home from 6 until 8 o'clock.