SCSU Hall of Famer Dies
May 15, 2004

SENECA, SC - Willie C. "Gump" McNeill, a standout football player at South Carolina State during his college days (1947-51), and an SCSU Hall of Fame inductee, died Tuesday, May 11, 2004. The retired coach and educator was 79.

The body will lie in state at New Harmony United Methodist Church in Seneca Sunday, May 16, beginning at 2 p.m. The family will receive friends starting at 5 p.m. Funeral services will be Monday, May 17, at 1 p.m. at Saint Mark United Methodist Church, 616 Quincy Road, Seneca, SC. Burial will follow at Oconee Memorial Gardens. Gilbert Funeral Parlor of Seneca is in charge of arrangements.

McNeill earned a bachelor's from S.C. State in 1951, and later received a master's from Penn State University.

During his Bulldog football career, he earned all-conference honors as a halfback. He was inducted into the SCSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998.

McNeill began his coaching career at Bethel High School in Woodruff, SC in 1951. He later coached at Blue Ridge High and Seneca High schools. In football, he compiled an overall record of 103-72, with one state title and two runner-ups finishes. He was 226-10 in basketball, earning two state runner-up finishes and ten (10) district championships. As a baseball coach, he established a career mark of 297-87, with three state runner-ups finishes and nine (9) district titles.

The Seneca native, who was also recognized away from the playing field for mentoring youth, is survived by his wife of 52 years, Eugenia McNeill of Seneca, three sons, one sister, two brothers and four grandchildren.

His son Daryl McNeill is also an SCSU graduate and served as offensive coordinator for the Bulldogs under coaches Willie Jeffries and Oliver "Buddy" Pough, before leaving last season to accept a similar position at North Carolina A&T.

Friends may call at the home, 407 Sunrise Lane, Seneca, or the funeral home. Memorials may be made to The Club Elegant Willie C. McNeill Scholarship Fund.