William David James, 81, passed away peacefully on September 21, 2024, at Myrtle Beach Grove Assisted Living. He was born on July 15, 1943, in Marion County, South Carolina to the late Margaret Cox James and D.H. James.
David, as he was affectionately known. was a hardworking man with a passion for teaching. He graduated Marion High School Class of 1961, and went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Education. He proceeded to earn his Masters of Education degree in 1974, all from Western Carolina University. Educating children was the central focus of David’s life. He started his career in Marion, North Carolina in 1965, moved to Myrtle Beach and continued teaching at Myrtle Beach Primary School. He then went to Lakewood Elementary School where he proudly sat as Assistant Principal from 1984 until 1989 and then as Principal from 1989 until 2001. In 2001, David took on the challenge of opening a brand-new elementary school for Horry County Schools. With very few resources and an abundance of hard work and dedication, David made the building a beautiful place and welcomed the first class of children to Palmetto Bays Elementary School in August of 2002. If you know David, then you know that his priority was to make sure that every child had the tools needed to be successful in school. He loved his students with his whole heart. After 45 years of dedicated service, teaching and growing with his students, David retired in 2010.

When David wasn’t working on “school stuff”, he enjoyed time spent outdoors. David relished time spent running around Marion, kayaking in Murrells Inlet and the Little Pee Dee River and hiking the mountains around Maggie Valley with his buddies, Richard, Ken & Frankie.

Left to cherish David’s memory are cousins, Kathryn, Scott, and Todd Filley all of CA; Judy Carroll and Suzanne Eubanks of TN; special friends, Hilda and Kathy McCormick; Nan Ham and Beth Klauber; as well as many supportive friends and neighbors.
A special thank you to Kim and Teresa, his nurses from Agape Hospice. They went above and beyond to be sure he was comfortable through his final days.

A Celebration of David’s life will be held on Saturday November 16, 2024 at 2:00PM at Burroughs Funeral Home, 3558 Old Kings Highway, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576.

At the request of the family, please consider memorial contributions in lieu of flowers. Donations in David’s name may be made to Palmetto Bays Elementary School Student Field Trip Fund, 8900 SC-544, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588. Donations may also be considered to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Foundation at www.stjude.org