Willie Arthur Tompkins, Sr., affectionately known as ‘Suga Babe’, was born June 10, 1954, in McCormick, SC. He is the second son born to the late Marion and Mozell Tompkins. At a young age, his mother impressed upon him the value of hard work and striving for excellence. His earliest recollections are of his days working in the cotton fields and peach orchards around Johnson, SC. Although picking cotton and peaches was a labor-intensive task, Mr. Tompkins fondly reflects upon this experience as the catalyst that laid the foundation for the work ethic he possessed. He stated, "hard work instills an appreciation for gains that ill-gotten gains can never match."
At the age of nine, he began to hang around the local funeral home. As a little boy, Willie often was teased for "dressing like a funeral director." He admitted that his natural curiosity led him to one day sneak into the embalming room at the funeral home, and when no one was looking, he rolled back the sheets over the bodies to see what the embalmer had done. This experience would forever change his life, the point he acknowledged his "calling." From then, he would go by the funeral home daily, and no matter how much the owner chased him away, he always returned. Eventually, his persistence paid off and the funeral home owner gave him his first job in the funeral industry, washing cars.
After graduating from McCormick High School, McCormick, SC, he pursued his dream of working in the funeral industry by enrolling in the prestigious Kentucky School of Embalming in Louisville, Ky. Upon graduating in 1973, he moved to Columbia, SC, and enrolled at Benedict College. During this time, he became employed at Leevy's Funeral Home, where he worked for ten years. Aspiring for advancement, he left Leevy's and was subsequently approached by several local funeral homes wanting him to work for them. In 1988, Bostick-Tompkins Funeral Home opened for business.
Mr. Tompkins's hard work and vision quickly propelled Bostick-Tompkins from the "new kid on the block" to a significant player in the Columbia funeral business. When asked what actions were the most critical to the business's success, Tompkins said, "I prayed every day and night. I was raised by a praying mother. I always put prayer ahead of everything, but I also believe in hard work. I worked long hours and committed to treating everyone who walked through our doors like family."
Mr. Tompkins used the knowledge and experience he acquired while making his funeral home a success to perfect his business acumen. One of his most successful business ventures is W.A.T. Properties of Columbia, which he founded in 2006.
Although Mr. Tompkins has been widely recognized for his business success, he was well known for his philanthropic efforts. He believed in supporting charitable causes, different ministries, and those in need in the community. Annually he was famous for his fruit baskets to seniors for Christmas and supporting organizations that uplift at-risk youth, Mr. Tompkins consistently extended his hand in helping others. "I realize that there are so many people in need," he once stated, "And God placed in my heart the desire to help as many people as I can."
If Mr. Tompkins's life could be summed up in three words, they would be charity, excellence, and faithfulness. He was a shining example that all things are possible with hard work and faith in God. We praise God for the life and legacy of Willie Arthur Tompkins, Sr.
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Willie A. Tompkins, Sr. hosted by Bostick Tompkins Funeral Home.
Willie Arthur Tompkins, Sr., affectionately known as ‘Suga Babe’, was born June 10, 1954, in McCormick, SC. He is the second son born to the late Marion and Mozell Tompkins. At a young age, his mother impressed upon him the value of hard work and striving for excellence. His earliest recollections are of his days working in the cotton fields and peach orchards around Johnson, SC. Although picking cotton and peaches was a labor-intensive task, Mr. Tompkins fondly reflects upon this experience as the catalyst that laid the foundation for the work ethic he possessed. He stated, "hard work instills an appreciation for gains that ill-gotten gains can never match."
At the age of nine, he began to hang around the local funeral home. As a little boy, Willie often was teased for "dressing like a funeral director." He admitted that his natural curiosity led him to one day sneak into the embalming room at the funeral home, and when no one was looking, he rolled back the sheets over the bodies to see what the embalmer had done. This experience would forever change his life, the point he acknowledged his "calling." From then, he would go by the funeral home daily, and no matter how much the owner chased him away, he always returned. Eventually, his persistence paid off and the funeral home owner gave him his first job in the funeral industry, washing cars.
After graduating from McCormick High School, McCormick, SC, he pursued his dream of working in the funeral industry by enrolling in the prestigious Kentucky School of Embalming in Louisville, Ky. Upon graduating in 1973, he moved to Columbia, SC, and enrolled at Benedict College. During this time, he became employed at Leevy's Funeral Home, where he worked for ten years. Aspiring for advancement, he left Leevy's and was subsequently approached by several local funeral homes wanting him to work for them. In 1988, Bostick-Tompkins Funeral Home opened for business.
Mr. Tompkins's hard work and vision quickly propelled Bostick-Tompkins from the "new kid on the block" to a significant player in the Columbia funeral business. When asked what actions were the most critical to the business's success, Tompkins said, "I prayed every day and night. I was raised by a praying mother. I always put prayer ahead of everything, but I also believe in hard work. I worked long hours and committed to treating everyone who walked through our doors like family."
Mr. Tompkins used the knowledge and experience he acquired while making his funeral home a success to perfect his business acumen. One of his most successful business ventures is W.A.T. Properties of Columbia, which he founded in 2006.
Although Mr. Tompkins has been widely recognized for his business success, he was well known for his philanthropic efforts. He believed in supporting charitable causes, different ministries, and those in need in the community. Annually he was famous for his fruit baskets to seniors for Christmas and supporting organizations that uplift at-risk youth, Mr. Tompkins consistently extended his hand in helping others. "I realize that there are so many people in need," he once stated, "And God placed in my heart the desire to help as many people as I can."
If Mr. Tompkins's life could be summed up in three words, they would be charity, excellence, and faithfulness. He was a shining example that all things are possible with hard work and faith in God. We praise God for the life and legacy of Willie Arthur Tompkins, Sr.
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Willie A. Tompkins, Sr. hosted by Bostick Tompkins Funeral Home.
