The Journal has just been notified this morning that Senator Billy O’Dell has passed away. Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.
O’Dell was elected to represent Senate District 4 in 1989 and has been instrumental on the state and local level and especially in representing the Williamston, Pelzer and Piedmont area. Senate District 4 includes portions of Abbeville, Anderson and Greenwood Counties.
O’Dell was recently named the SC Association of Regional Councils (SCARG) Legislator of the Year, receiving the award at the SCARC Annual Training Conference at Kingston Plantation in Myrtle Beach in November.
He was a Citadel graduate and was also the SCARC Legislator of the Year in 2008. He has received many awards and honors during his service:
· CEO, O’Dell Corporation, Inc.
· Born October 11, 1938 in Ware Shoals
· Son of William B. and Sara Francis O’Dell
· The Citadel, B.A., 1960
· Married to Aedra Gail Tisdale, 2 children, William B. and Patricia Michelle
· Vice Chairman, School District 51, 1974-81
· The Citadel Board of Visitors, 1981-89
· President, Ware Shoals Chamber of Commerce, 1985-86
· Director, State Chamber of Commerce, 1985-88
· President, Ware Shoals Community Foundation, 1985-88
· Vice Chairman, Abbeville Development Board, 1987
· Piedmont Technical Board of Visitors, 1987-88
· The Citadel Board of Visitors, 1990-91
· Recipient of Palmetto Award, The Citadel, 1994
· CEO, The O’Dell Corp., 1997
· Honorary Doctor of Business, The Citadel, 1997
· Honorary Doctors of Laws, Lander University, 2009
· J. Verne Smith Humanitarian Award, 1998
· Guardian of Small Business, NFIB/SC, 1998
· Legislative Award, South Carolina Counseling Association, 1999
· Recognition of Service, City of Anderson, 1999
· Alumni Achievement Award, Camden Military Academy, 2000
· Legislator of the Year, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, 2001
· Recognition of Service, City of Belton, 2001
· Resolution of Appreciation, Belton-Honea Path Water Authority, 2002
· Resolution of Appreciation, County of Greenwood, 2004
· Legislative Appreciation Award by South Carolina Association of Conservation Distrists, 2006
· Champion for Access to Healthcare, South Carolina Primary Healthcare Association, 2007
· Legislator of the Year, South Carolina Dental Association, 2007
· Small Business Legislator of the Year, 2007
· Legislator of the Year, South Carolina Emergency Medical Services Association, 2006-07
· Legislator of the Year, South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association, 2007
· Legislator of the Year, South Carolina Association of Regional Councils, 2008
· Honorary Doctorate Degree from the Medical University of South Carolina, 2008
· Public Servant of the Year, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, 2008
