Long-Serving SC Senator William O’Dell Dead at 77

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — Long-serving South Carolina State Senator William O’Dell has died.

The 77-year-old chairman of the Senate General Committee died Thursday morning.

He represented District Four, which covers part of Anderson, Abbeville, and Greenwood Counties.

O’Dell, a Citadel graduate, also served on the Banking and Insurance, Finance, Interstate Cooperation and the Labor, Commerce and Industry and committees.

The Republican Senator served in office since 1989.

In a statement Govenor Nikki Haley said, “For more than 25 years, Senator Billy O’Dell worked tirelessly for the people of his district and the state, and we are forever grateful for his service. Michael and I ask that you lift up Senator O’Dell’s wife, Gail, and his family, friends and constituents during this difficult time. He made South Carolina a better place.”