William Conley "Fred" Jumper, Sr., 85, of Gray Court, SC, died at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital in Greenville, SC. Fred was born to Malachi Dewey and Myrtis Smith Jumper of Swansea on September 8, 1938.

Fred attended St. Matthew High School and after graduation he attended Newberry College from 1956-1960. During his time in college, he played football all four years as a center. In his junior and senior year, he was awarded Outstanding Lineman. In 1959, he was selected as Co-Captain and was selected to the All-District team and the All State Second Team All-American. He also was named Outstanding Lineman in the Little Three Conference. For his football achievements, he was named to the Newberry College Hall of Fame in 1981. While in college Fred met his future wife, Joanne Loadholdt Graham.

After graduating from Newberry College, he began his career with Milliken and Company working at several locations including Clemson, Pacolet Mills, Cedar Hill Union and completed his 44-year career at Gaffney Manufacturing. After retiring he started his second career, farming. In his free time, along with taking care of his farm, he enjoyed vegetable gardening, riding on his tractor and just being outdoors. Fred was a member of Pomaria Lutheran Church.

Fred is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dr. Joanne Graham Jumper, his daughter, Dr. Connie Jumper Blackstone, son-in-law, Dr. Marcus Blackstone, his daughter-in-law, Sarah Cortese Jumper, granddaughter, Catherine Elizabeth-Anne Jumper, sister, Orene Carter, brother McCoy Jumper, and Rufus, his four-legged companion.

Fred is preceded in death by his son William Conley Jumper, Jr.; brothers, T.H. Jumper, Kenneth Jumper, Lavern Jumper, and sister, Delene Saylor.

A visitation will be held at Pomaria Lutheran Church, 210 Folk Street, on Thursday, February, 29, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. with the funeral service following at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be at Pomaria Cemetery immediately following the funeral service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the William Conley Jumper Football Scholarship, c/o The Office of Institutional Advancement, 2100 College St., Newberry, SC 29108 or Pomaria Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund, PO Box 246, Pomaria, SC 29126.

Whitaker Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Fred Jumper.