WILLIAM H. EMBLER

MARCH 29, 1918 – October 21, 2011

ANDERSON, SC – William Henry “Tough” Embler, age 93, resident of 528 Drayton Circle, passed away on October 21, 2011, at the Rainey Hospice House.   

Born March 29, 1918, in Townville, SC, he was a son of the late Oscar Talmadge Embler and Lula Cromer Embler. Following Boys’ High, Tough attended Presbyterian College on a football scholarship, where he was noted as an outstanding athlete. Shortly before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps, Tough married his beloved wife of now seventy years, Mary Martin.  Following his retirement from a lengthy career with Abney Mills as Personnel Director, Mr. Embler was associated with Ralph Hayes Toyota as a Sales Representative and later, the Anderson County Courthouse. During Tough’s active years, he served from 1953-1965 on the Anderson City Council.   He was presented the distinguished ‘Man of the Year Award’ from Woodmen of the World, and was inducted into the South Carolina High School Football Officials Hall of Fame.  He was a longtime member of Garner Memorial Baptist Church, where he served as Deacon and Sunday School Teacher. Currently, he and his wife, Mary, are active members of Pope Drive Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Martin Embler; daughter, Diane E. Harbin and husband, Larry, of Travelers Rest, SC; son, William Martin ‘Marty’ Embler of Anderson, SC; two grandchildren: Russell Harbin and wife, Donna, and William Harbin and wife, Elizabeth; and six great grandchildren.  Additionally, he is survived by two sisters: Mildred E. Campbell and Ethel E. Geddings, both of Anderson, SC.  He was predeceased by brothers:  Talmadge, Walter, Jimmy, Ezra, and Morris Embler. 

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, October 24, 2011, at Pope Drive Baptist Church conducted by Dr. Mack Tester and Dr. Jack Couch. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. A family committal will precede services in Forest Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that memorials may be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621, or to Pope Drive Baptist Church, 2510 Pope Drive, Anderson, SC 29625. 

A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com.