Obituary of Samuel Lee Rhyner

Samuel Lee Rhyner, 90, of Columbia, left this earthly home for his eternal home on Thursday September 17, 2015. He was born February 18, 1925 to Charles Spurgeon Rhyner and Daisy Wright Rhyner. One of thirteen siblings, Sam was raised on a farm in Lancaster, SC during some very hard times. They were taught self-reliance, love of God and love of country. At the age of seventeen, Sam was eager to join the fight in the war that was raging in Europe. Sam joined the Army, first serving in the 11th Horse Calvary unit. He trained in Brownsville, Texas. His time in the Horse Calvary was short lived as the Army transferred him to the 63rd Infantry division where he served in the European theatre until the war ended. He was proud of his service to our country and attended many 63rd infantry reunions to see old buddies, most of who are now deceased. In 1946, he married his high school sweetheart, Wilma Catherine McCorkle. Sam tried civilian life for several years during which he and Wilma had three children. After several years of working in the cotton mills in Lancaster, Sam decided he would make a career of the Army. During those years, he served in Hawaii when it was still a territory, in France and several state side posts, Korea, and then served one year in the Vietnam war. After 24 years in the US Army, Sam retired in 1972. After retirement, Sam continued to work first with the Tupperware company and finally with Hawthorne Pharmacy where he was a delivery man. Delivery man didn't fully describe what he meant to his customers. Many times he would do little things they would ask him to do. Sam got real pleasure out of doing for others and was known to many as, "Mr. Sam". Sam truly believed in giving back because he felt so blessed. That love and caring showed through his entire life. Sam was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of forty nine years, Wilma; brothers Richard, Charles, David, Marion, Lathan; sisters Carolyn, Margaret, Ruth, and Edith; daughter in law Kathleen Harris Rhyner. Sam is survived by the second love of his life and 18 year companion Ida Stewart; children Eric Rhyner, Cynthia Rhyner Dickerson (John), Belinda Rhyner Fulmer (Don); nine grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; brothers Joseph and Mason; sister Doris Plyler; a host of other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends for visitation on Tuesday September 22, 2015 from 6 until 8 PM at Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Rd. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday September 23, 2015 at 1 PM at Rehoboth United Methodist Church, 6911 Two Notch Rd with interment to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, Sam requested memorials to be made to Rehoboth UMC Food Pantry or Epworth Children's Home, 2900 Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29205.