William Gaston Fleming, 85, of Greenville, South Carolina passed away Sunday, August 13, 2023, at Prisma Health. He was the son of the late Ernest Fleming and Velma Thomas Fleming.
Gaston was a member of the Elite Golf Club (Greenville, SC). Surviving: Daughters, Ulanda (Vince) Fleming-Sanders, of Evansville IN., Rhonda (William) Fleming-Makell of Port Tobacco, MD, Javondra Fleming of Anderson, SC, Kasondra Fleming of Simpsonville, SC and Carmen Sexton of New Jersey, one son, Tamaaya Fleming of Greenville, SC; eleven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral Services: Friday, August 25, 2023, 11:00am, at Watkins Garrett & Woods Mortuary, with interment in Olive Hill Cemetery, Morganton NC.
Mr. Fleming was born in Morganton, N.C. on June 24, 1938. He graduated from Olive Hill High School in Morganton N.C. After high school, he attended Allen University in Columbia S.C., where he joined the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. Mr. Fleming earned his Masters of education degree from Converse College, (Spartanburg, S.C). Upon graduating from Allen University, he moved to Greenville S.C. to pursue a career in education.
His first teaching job was at Lincoln High School in Taylors SC., where he taught U.S. history and social studies to young adults. Mr. Fleming had a passion for teaching and emphasized the importance of education to both his own children and the students he was entrusted to educate. He additionally taught at Parker and Blue Ridge high schools and coached both high school football and basketball during his tenure as an educator. His career spanned for forty-five years before retiring in 2006 from Greer High.
Mr. Fleming was dedicated, respected, and loved.
Mr. Fleming is predeceased by his parents Ernest,II. and Velma Fleming. Four brothers: Ernest III., Charles, Edward, James Monroe, one sister Peggy, a special aunt Zelma Pearson and a special friend Alene (Pat) Bennett Baety. He is survived by his children five daughters: Ulanda (Vincent) Sanders (Indiana), Rhonda (William) Makell of (Maryland), Carmen Sexton (N.J)., Javondra Fleming (Anderson), Kasondra Harkness fiance (Lutrell Hunt) (Simpsonville), two sons: Tamaaya Fleming (Greenville), and Hyuri McDowell (Georgia)., (16) grandchildren-Zebree, Zion, Zuriel, Brandon, William, Selena, Cameron, Cayla, Shamaiya, Makayla, Jason, Joshua, Khloe, Aubrey, Hyuri and Hyori, three great-grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.
Celebration of Life Service was held on Friday, August 25, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at the Watkins Garrett & Woods Mortuary with interment in Olive Hill Cemetery in Morganton, NC. In lieu of flowers please join your local NAACP chapter and get involved in remembrance of Mr. Fleming’s legacy to promote service and equality for all persons.
