William "Billy" O'Dell, 86, of Newberry, died on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at Newberry County Memorial Hospital following a brief decline in health. Born on February 10, 1932 in Whitmire, SC, he was a son of the late Hattie O'Dell Ferguson and Edgar Setzler "Boggie" O'Dell. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his siblings, Jesse "Buck" O'Dell, Frances (Mid) Bannister, Elizabeth (George) Sligh and Rudolph (Lorraine) Ferguson. A 1951 graduate of Newberry High School, Billy distinguished himself early in life as a premier pitcher on the diamond at Hedgepath Field as well as in the various textile league teams of Newberry and the Upstate. His high school baseball Coach, Harry Hedgepath, was his celebrated mentor. Billy married his beloved Joan Dennis O'Dell on September 5, 1953, and they remained happily married for 58 years. In 1952, Billy received the first ever athletic scholarship for baseball at Clemson Agricultural College where he played from 1952-1954 establishing many records that stand today. He was a member of the first class inducted into the Clemson University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1954, Billy was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles as a bonus baby and began a professional baseball career extending 13 years. He pitched for the Orioles, San Francisco Giants, Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves and the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was fondly referred to as "Digger" by his baseball buddies. Billy was selected to the American League All Star Team in 1958 and in 1959, earning the MVP award in the 1958 All Star game. He also played in the 1962 World Series with the San He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to hunt and fish and particularly looked forward to an annual trip to Sand Bay Camp in Espanola, Ontario, Canada where he enjoyed bear hunting and great fellowship with friends. He also loved daily dining with his Bill and Fran's Restaurant family. He was actively involved with Boys Farm in Newberry, Hank Parker and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Midstate Quail and Dove Club, Clemson Block C Club and Major League Baseball Players Association. . He enjoyed worshiping at Cross Point Church. Billy O'Dell was not only admired for his talent on and off the field but also for his character and faith. Despite his accolades and accomplishments, he remained quite humble. He is survived by his sons, Jeff (Kim) O'Dell; Steve O'Dell, Mike (Cindy) O'Dell and Blue O'Dell and a daughter, Heather (Mac Montgomery) all of Newberry, SC; grandchildren, Sarah O'Dell; Teal O'Dell, Sloan O'Dell Mayer (Nathan), Rusty O'Dell, Dillon O'Dell, Bryar O'Dell and River O'Dell; great grandchildren, Abbigale O'Dell, Houston May and Willow Mayer. Two visitations are scheduled for Billy on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Boys Farm of Newberry, 6655 SC 34, Newberry, SC 29108 with the first hours of visitation from 10:00 am until 12 noon and beginning again at 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm. Casual dress is acceptable for the visitation. Funeral services will be on Sunday, September 23 at 3:00 pm in Wiles Chapel on the Newberry College Campus. Interment will follow in Newberry Memorial Gardens. The O'Dell family expresses their sincere appreciation to staffs of Lovelace Family Medicine and of Newberry County Memorial Hospital for their kind and compassionate care of Billy and his family. They value all expressions of condolence and suggests for those desiring, to make memorial contributions to the following: ---Cross Point Church, Building Fund, 1523 Trent St., Newberry, SC 29108 ---Emmaus Road Partners | Growing Christian Ministries https://emmausroadpartners.org/ (Formerly the Hank Parker Fellowship FCA) ---Block C Club, PO Box 31, Clemson, SC 29633 or ---Boys Farm of Newberry, 6655 SC 34, Newberry, SC 29108. For a list of items that will be greatly appreciated by the residents of Boys Farm and that can be brought to the visitation, please visit the following link…. http://boysfarm.org/billy-odell.php Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com. Whitaker Funeral Home of Newberry is assisting the family. Please use the following link in web browser for Baltimore Sun newspaper article on Billy O'Dell: http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-obit-odell-20180913-story.html#share=email~story