Walter Cousins Obituary

Walter B. Cousins

March 12, 1934 - November 17, 2023

Irmo, South Carolina - Walter B. Cousins, son of Ira T. and Bernice McMichael Cousins, and husband of Leonide "Bootsie" Cousins, died Friday, November 17, 2023. Born March 12, 1934 in Newberry, SC he was a graduate of Newberry High School and Clemson College.

After college, Walter served in the US Army Signal Corp in Italy, and then returned to Newberry where he went into business with his father at Ira T. Cousins, Inc. He later was the owner of Cousins Ag Products in Newberry.

Walter volunteered his time with various organizations having to do with agriculture and preservation – the SC Soil and Water Conservation Society, the SC Association of Conservations Districts, the SC Land Resources Commission, the SC Plant Food Educational Society, and the Palmetto Conservation Foundation. He worked diligently for the restoration of Lynch's Woods in Newberry and for the continuation of the Palmetto Trail through South Carolina. He also served on the board of IPTAY as a representative of Clemson for the Newberry area and was recognized for his commitment to the expansions of the upper deck of the North stands at the Clemson football stadium.

In addition to almost all things agricultural and Clemson, Walter enjoyed golf, woodworking, and travel – especially driving the RV cross-country several times with Bootsie and cat-pals, Bebe and Buddy.

Survivors include Walter's wife, Bootsie; his children, Thomas B. Cousins (Linda), Elizabeth "Beth" Cousins Hipp (Les), and Martin L. Cousins (Dayna); grandchildren, Jay Cousins (Taylor), Curtis Cousins (Erin), Woodrow Binnicker, Summers Binnicker, and Cullen Binnicker; great-grandchildren, Jackson Cousins, Rylie Cousins, Kinsley Cousins, and Walt Cousins; step-children; Michael Hunter (Missy) and Allison Carter (Roger Dowd); step-grandchildren, Reagin Hunter, Emma Kate Carter, Chase Hunter, and Brett Hunter; sister, Betty Cousins Campbell; and special friends, Angie and Mike Kilman.

He was predeceased by a son, John Walter Cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one's choice.

Services will be held at Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 1:00 PM. Burial will follow in Rosemont Cemetery, Newberry.

A special thank you to the workers at Lighthouse Hospice, Irmo and to McLeod Home Care of Lexington. Three very special thanks are sent to Mary, Karen, and Marie of McLeod Home Care.

Memories and messages may be shared with the family here on his tribute page.

Whitaker Funeral Home is honored to serve the Cousins family.