Paul William Hively Jr.

 

 

Paul William Hively, Jr. “P.W.”  was surrounded by family on Saturday January 6^th as he came up through the waters, grabbed Jesus’ hand, and stepped free of his earthly shell into heaven.

Dad was born February 13, 1940 at home in Charleston, West Virginia. He was the 4^th of 6 amazing siblings and is preceded in death by 4 of them. After he graduated high school he joined the Navy and served on the Aircraft Carrier, the USS Hornet, during the Bay of Pigs. Paul dearly loved his country and was very proud of what we stand for as a nation. It was not uncommon for dad to express that there is nothing like seeing US shores coming home on a carrier and tears hearing the National Anthem.

Dad met mom in January of 1976 and would say it was love at first sight and they have been bound together since then. After operating his own construction business and sea food restaurant in South Port, North Carolina, Paul began work for the Department of Defense, US Army. His work with the Department of Defense began in 1975 at Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal in South Port, North Carolina, then onto the New Cumberland Army Depot in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. His 3^rd post was in Saint Louis, Missouri at the Goodfellow Federal Center until 1985 when he made his final move for work to Kingsport, Tennessee to Holston Army Ammunitions Facility where he served as Facilities Specialist until he retired in 2012.

At retirement he received the high honor of Superior Civilian Service Award and a letter from the President of the United States thanking him for his service and congratulating him on his retirement. Paul and his wife moved to South Carolina in 2019 to love on and help raise their grandchildren here.

Although work and the Navy were great adventures, Paul’s two best accomplishments have been a deep relationship with Jesus on a daily basis and raising a beautiful family that loves him and each other. Whether he was known by Paul, P.W., dad or pop, he was loved dearly by so many and we will continue to carry him in our hearts and allow the seeds of who he is to grow in our lives.

He is survived by his wife Beth Hively, and his daughter Bentley Hively Gambrell, husband Nicholas, and children Zeke and London (L.E.) all here in Oconee County. He is also survived by his son, Jarrett Whitt Hively, wife Ashley, and their children Jakyn, Ankor, Glaive, Kreed, and Steehl who reside in Montana. He is also survived by his youngest sister, Chrisandra French of Florida and many nieces and nephews who love their Uncle PW and one cousin Candy McKinnon of North Carolina.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents Paul William Hively Sr. and Valerie Jarrett Stahl along with 4 siblings, Nancy, Connie, Pauline, and CJ. Most importantly he was preceded in death by his and Beth’s daughter, Elizabeth Martha 9/12/77 who was still born and whose ashes will be interred with her dad.

His favorite name was Pop as that was what his 7 grandchildren call him. He was only sick for a week before his unexpected passing and was in the yard playing with grandchildren just the week before. He was healthy, vibrant, full of love and laughter. Our dad was patient, unassuming, and gentle. He leaves us with no regrets and nothing unsaid. The Lord has covered us and will continue to as we love and grieve together.

Some of dad’s favorite things are always singing songs as he went through the day, making spaghetti for family and friends, swimming out past the break or walking on the beach or through the woods, wrestling and playing with grandchildren, drinking a good glass of wine or cup of coffee, and most of all loving and laughing with his family. Pop never met a stranger and was always able to find the sunshine in life. He loved long walks talking with and listening to Jesus and has countless hours of prayer and intercession for his family. He is in our hearts. His 6yo granddaughter said yesterday that Pop is sewn in us and stuck to us and even though he is in heaven, he is in our hearts. He defiantly has shown us how to live, love, and laugh. We love you dad.

Families will be at their respective homes and the services are for close friends and family this Saturday at Ramsey Creek Preserve where there will be a beautiful time of worship, celebration of dad’s amazing life, and the legacy and seeds of life we have from him. Dad will be naturally laid to rest in his hiking clothes in a wooden poplar coffin made by his son Jarrett and son-in-law Nick. Friends are welcome to pay their respects to the family on Friday evening from 6:00- 7:00 at the community building at Life Line Community Church in the Oakway/Crossroads area.

 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Special Operations Warrior Foundation https://specialops.org/ and prayers for our mom as she adjusts to life.

Condolences may be expressed online by visiting www.sandiferfuneralhome.com.