W.S. Guiles Family Reunion

2025-2026 Bill 5658: W.S. Guiles Family Reunion - South Carolina Legislature Online

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
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H. 5658
STATUS INFORMATION
House Resolution
Sponsors: Reps. Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Bowers, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Duncan, Edgerton, Erickson, Ford, Forrest, Frank, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Gilreath, Govan, Grant, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hartz, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Holman, Hosey, Howard, Huff, J.E. Johnson, J.L. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lastinger, Lawson, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Luck, Magnuson, Martin, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, C. Mitchell, D. Mitchell, Montgomery, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, Moss, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Oremus, Pace, Pedalino, Pope, Rankin, Reese, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sanders, Schuessler, Scott, Sessions, G.M. Smith, M.M. Smith, Spann-Wilder, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Teeple, Terribile, Vaughan, Waters, Weeks, Wetmore, White, Whitmire, Wickensimer, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow
Document Path: LC-0608SA-RM26.docx
Introduced in the House on May 6, 2026
Adopted by the House on May 6, 2026
Summary: W.S. Guiles Family Reunion
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date

Body

Action Description with journal page number

5/6/2026

House

Introduced and adopted (
House Journal-page 20
)

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VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
05/06/2026

A
house
RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE THE GUILES FAMILY
MEMBERS ON THEIR FAITHFULNESS IN RENEWING FAMILY TIES BY CONTINUING TO GATHER,
TO COMMEND THEIR COMMITMENT TO FAMILY AS THEY CELEBRATE THEIR UPCOMING AUGUST
2026 REUNION, AND TO DECLARE AUGUST 1, 2026, as "W.S. GUILES DAY" IN SOUTH
CAROLINA IN HONOR OF THE FAMILY FOUNDER.

W
hereas, in a time when mobility and displacement from family roots
make family relationships more difficult to sustain, the South Carolina House
of Representatives takes great pleasure in commending the efforts of the Guiles
family to maintain family identity and fellowship in their upcoming reunion, to
be held in early August 2026; and

W
hereas, family founder William Samson Guiles was born in the Orum community
of Florence County near Pamplico to William Boston Guiles and Ellen (Deas)
Guiles. From humble beginnings, Reverend Guiles rose to become a man whose life
of faith, labor, and leadership would leave a lasting mark upon his family,
church, and community; and

W
hereas, Reverend Guiles was a man of many callings, serving with
diligence as a farmer, businessman, and hallelujah singer while demonstrating a
steadfast work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit, and joyful devotion that enriched
the lives of those around him; and

W
hereas, from an early age he devoted himself to service at Mill
Branch Church, faithfully fulfilling numerous roles, including that of steward,
trustee, Sunday school teacher, superintendent, choir member, and class leader,
and in each role exemplifying a life committed to God and the lifting up of
others. In answering the call to ministry, he was ordained within the
Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, first serving as
assistant pastor before assuming pastoral leadership across several congregations
within the Florence District of the Northeast Conference, including
Johnsonville, New Zion, Claussen, and surrounding communities; and

W
hereas, his longest and most enduring pastoral service was rendered
to the St. Mark and St. Luke Circuit, where for fourteen years he shepherded
the congregation with wisdom and unwavering dedication, leaving a spiritual
legacy that continued long after his ministry concluded in 1950; and

W
hereas, Reverend Guiles' influence extended far beyond sanctuary
walls, as he actively served the broader Florence community through civic and
fraternal leadership as chief of the Joint Stock Lodge and through membership
in the Odd Fellows and Mutual Aid of Florence. Thus, he strengthened bonds of
support, service, and progress throughout the county; and

W
hereas, recognized as a pillar within Florence County, W.S. Guiles
was also one of the founding members of the Ideal Funeral Parlor and so
contributed to an institution that has served the community with dignity and
care for generations. In short, through his character, integrity, and
leadership, Reverend Guiles earned the respect of his family, his church
community, and the citizens of Florence County at large, and he did this across
racial lines and social boundaries during a time when such esteem was both
significant and uncommon; and

W
hereas, the continued gathering of his descendants and loved ones
stands as living evidence of the roots he planted, the values he instilled, and
the family legacy he helped establish for future generations. The 2026 W.S.
Guiles Family Reunion presents a fitting opportunity to celebrate the life of a
patriarch whose contributions helped shape the spiritual, civic, and familial
fabric of Florence County; and

W
hereas, the House is grateful for the legacy of the Guiles family
and wishes its members much happiness as they experience the blessings of their
upcoming family reunion. Now, therefore,

B
e it resolved by the
House of
Representatives
:

T
hat the members of the South Carolina
House
of Representatives
, by this resolution, congratulate the Guiles family
members on their faithfulness in renewing family ties by continuing to gather,
commend their commitment to family as they celebrate their upcoming August 2026
reunion, and declare August 1, 2026, as "W.S. Guiles Day" in South Carolina in
honor of the family founder.

B
e it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to
the Guiles Family Reunion.

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This web page was last updated on May 6, 2026 at 11:51 AM