H 5749

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
Bill 5749
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)
A house RESOLUTION
TO CONGRATULATE Harry Cooper "Bunt" Wilson, Jr. OF Sumter
COUNTY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS eightieth BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HIM A JOYOUS
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION surrounded by family and MANY friends.
Whereas, the members of
the South Carolina House of Representatives are delighted to learn that Harry Cooper
"Bunt" Wilson, Jr. of Sumter County will turn eighty years of age on August 16,
2026, particularly when he doesn't look a day over seventy-nine; and
Whereas, born and
raised in Mayesville (entitling every resident to free representation during
his fifty- plus year career), Bunt Wilson earned a bachelor's degree from
Wofford College and a juris doctorate from the University of South Carolina
School of Law in 1971. His long history of service to his nation, state, and
local community began with his commission in the Army, he later served as a
public defender and then an assistant solicitor in Richland County before
moving back to his native Sumter and practicing law with Nash, Wilson &
Chappell.  He eventually became a long-term partner in the firm of Lee, Erter,
and Wilson in Sumter; and
Whereas, Bunt's local
and legal contributions were many, including membership in the Sumter Rotary
Club, serving as its president from 1991-1992; Sumter Fine Arts Council; Sumter
Little Theater; Sumter Gallery of Art; and the South Carolina Bar Board of
Governors; and
Whereas, in 1995, the
General Assembly elected Mr. Wilson to the Legislative Audit Council. For six
years, he oversaw the staff and work of the Council publishing thirty-eight
audits of state agencies. During his tenure, the National Conference of State Legislatures'
National Legislative Program Evaluation Society awarded the Council an impact
award for its audit on "Auto Insurance in South Carolina" and an award for "A
Management Review of the Department of Natural Resources"; and
Whereas, in the
community he loves and calls home, he has helped thousands of people, family
friends from Mayesville, church members, military families at Shaw Air Force
Base, domestic litigants, and others, regardless of their ability to pay. Every
client was his most important client and never was one of them at fault! He
continued his service to the community after leaving private practice and
traded in his suits for a bullet proof vest and police car, serving as general
counsel for the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, which included middle of the
night visits to active crime scenes; and
Whereas, over the
years, Bunt has graciously shared his famous wit and wisdom with friends and
colleagues alike, mentored many a young attorney, and even been surprised how
one or two turned out (if you know, you know). In all seriousness, those who
are lucky enough to know, work with, or call this extraordinary gentleman a
friend are lucky enough indeed; and
Whereas, together with
his beloved wife of over sixty years, Lucy Bynum Barron Sanders Wilson, he has
reared three wonderful children: Lucy Grey Wilson McIver, Pressley Wilson
Warrick, and Harry "Cooper" Wilson, III. Their children have blessed him with
the affection of ten loving grandchildren; and
Whereas, impressively
competitive, Mr. Wilson cut a cast off his child's arm so she could play in the
8-10-year-old YMCA girls' basketball championship, and he found a friend to fly
his nine-year-old son from a tennis match to a basketball game that was a must
win; and
Whereas, though his
work ethic had him seemingly working all the time, he managed to never let his
family down when they needed him, always in attendance at his children's
important events - even on occasion showing up for Cooper's basketball games at
four o'clock on a Tuesday in Lee County in a business suit and camouflage coat.
Incognito he was not. He moved Pressley into a dorm in Chapel Hill only to
learn when he returned home, it was not a good fit. Super Dad to the rescue
once again as he drove back the very next day to move her into another dorm.
This dear man would also drive four hours to Winston-Salem during the middle of
the week to watch Lucy Grey's tennis matches in person and then drive back to
Sumter; and
Whereas, the members of
the South Carolina House of Representatives would love to know the meaning
behind the nickname - was it his love of sweets as a young boy and his failure
to spell "bundt" or could it have been his signature swing in Little League
baseball?  In any event, the Body is pleased to honor this treasured son of
South Carolina at the celebration of his eightieth birthday and join with his
family and friends in congratulating him on reaching this extraordinary
milestone. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the
South Carolina House of Representatives,
by this resolution, congratulate  Harry Cooper "Bunt" Wilson, Jr. of Sumter
County on the occasion of his eightieth birthday and wish him a joyous birthday
celebration surrounded by his family and many friends.
Be it further resolved
that a copy of this resolution be presented to Harry Cooper "Bunt" Wilson, Jr.
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This web page was last updated on August 11, 2026 at 03:01 PM