Bill Camp, The “Candy Man,” Dies

COLUMBIA, S.C. (USC SID) — The athletics department learned Wednesday that South Carolina Baseball alumnus and longtime fan Bill Camp passed away on Sunday. Bill “Country” Camp lettered from 1948-51 for the South Carolina baseball team. To this generation and past, he was known as the “Candy Man.” He tried to attend every home game and came to all contests with his pockets full of candy for all fans. He had a long career of coaching pony and colt league baseball in the Columbia area. One of our staff photographers, Allen Sharpe, indicated that he was the best baseball coach he ever had. Camp was part of two of the best teams that Ted Petoskey coached including the 15-6 squad in 1949 and the 16-9-1 team in 1950. He was part of a veteran pitching staff in 1950 that featured football quarterback Harold, “Bo” Hagan, Frank Sherer and Grady Faircloth. Camp was one of many members of that baseball team who were World War II G.I. Bill of Rights students.