Obituary of KAY, WILLIAM McWHORTER  1942 Oconee, SC
Keowee Courier, November 11, 1942
Death Claims, William Kay
Former Sheriff of County Dies at Hospital Monday Night
  After a short illness of only three days, William McWhorter Kay died at the 
Anderson County hospital, Monday night at 7:50 o'clock. His sudden passing came 
a shock to his many friends in Oconee county and elsewhere. Only Friday last, 
he was seen on the streets of Walhalla in his usual cheerful manner.  Mr. Kay 
was born May 22, 1360, his parents being the late George W. and Mary Dickson 
Kay. He had one sister, Lula, who married Mack Herndon and died several years 
ago leaving seven children. One brother, George W. Kay, died about five years 
ago leaving six children.  In 1874, his parents moved to a farm on Colonel's 
Fork near Westminster and here he grew to manhood. He attended the schools at 
Clearmont and Westminster and was always an apt scholar and popular with the 
student body.  On November 15, 1891, he was happily married to Exia Dilworth, 
daughter of the late Robert H. and Mary Watkins Dilworth. To this union were 
born seven children, namely: Allie K. Schroder, Ruth K. Seaborn, William W. 
(died January 6, 1918); Robert W. Kay, Wallace C. Kay, Kathleen K. Bischoff and 
Dit Kay, all of Walhalla, except Robert W, of Cornelia, Ga., and Wallace C., of 
Columbia. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and one great grandchild.  
Since the death of his wife, on o January 23, 1941, he has been residing with 
his daughters, Allie K. Schroder and Ruth K. Seaborn, being at the home of Mrs. 
Schroder at the time of his death.  In early manhood he united with the 
Westminster Methodist church where he served as secretary-treasurer of the 
Sunday school for many years. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity.  
He resided at Seneca when he was elected sheriff of Oconee county in 1904 and 
removed to Walhalla where he has since made his home. He was reelected to the 
office of sheriff in 1908, and in 1924 he was again elected and served until 
1929 when he was succeeded by John H. Thomas. He was regarded as a capable and 
efficient officer and discharged his duties without fear or favor. After 
retiring from public office' he has been known far and wide as "Sheriff" Kay.  
"Sheriff" Kay was a loveable character and by his genial nature and kind deeds 
endeared himself to his many friends and acquaintances, who will greatly miss 
his sunny smile and cheery greeting.  For one so full of life and the joy of 
living to a ripe old age, one so full of interest in the matters of the present 
day, one so ready to see the humorous side of many otherwise gloomy situations, 
it is hard to associate him with death; rather should it be said: -"He is not 
dead, he is just away."  Funeral services were conducted at the home of Mr. and 
Mrs. W. J. Schroder, Wednesday afternoon at 4 o'clock by his pastor, the Rev. 
J. K. Walker, assisted by the Rev. Frank R. Morse and the Rev. Ben M. Clark.  
Pallbearers were nephews and grandsons: George Kay, Robert Dilworth, J. B. 
Dilworth, William Seaborn, Wallace Seaborn, Edward Schroder, Robert Kay and 
John Kay.  Burial was in the family plot of Westview cemetery beside his wife.
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