Thomas Ravenel’s Disabled Brother William Passes Away – Watch the Funeral Here!
Thomas Ravenel’s Disabled Brother William Passes Away – Watch the Funeral Here!
Thomas Ravenel recently spoke candidly about the passing of his brother, William Ravenel, expressing his grief and honoring his memory with a heartfelt tribute following his passing on March 15.
Thomas, recognized for his previous appearance on the reality television series Southern Charm, shared insights into the family’s background, revealing that their late father, Arthur, held a prominent role as a state congressman and legislator in South Carolina.
“R. I. P. William, my beloved brother. (1/23/1959-3/15/2024) You were my closest sibling in age and emotion,” wrote Thomas in a touching post on Instagram on March 15.
“Having Downs Syndrome he lived much longer than expected. Still, it’s hard to accept,” the former Bravo star wrote. “He was the second to the youngest and I was the youngest so we were the closest in age and he was my playmate during my toddler years. I loved him and wanted everyone else to love him too.”
Thomas posted to X to share that his brother William will be buried “as per my father’s strict instructions right between him and my mother.” “Not that his soul would be confined to a gravesite,” the Southern Charm alum added. “I guess he wanted people who saw his grave and had memories of him would also see my brother’s grave and keep him in their memories too.”
Thomas took to social media to share a poignant moment from the past, uploading a childhood photo of himself alongside his late brother, William.
Thomas took to Twitter to further commemorate his brother William’s life by sharing a link to William’s obituary. The obituary highlighted William’s significant contributions as, “a leading change maker for the developmentally disabled, inspiring his parents to start pre-schools, camps, and activities of all sorts which had been previously denied them.”
“He even inspired the founding of the Coastal Center and The Protection and Advocacy Agency [For People With Disabilities],” the obituary continued, via Charleston Post and Courier. “William’s family would like to recognize and thank all of his wonderful caregivers at Coastal Center … Memorials may be made to Disability Rights South Carolina.”
Read William’s obituary in full below:
“William Ravenel, beloved son of Louise Rodgers Ravenel Dougherty and Arthur Ravenel, Jr. went to join them in heaven on March 15, 2024, from his home at the Coastal Center in Ladson. His Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at the French Huguenot Church, 136 Church Street, at 11:00 am. Interment, French Huguenot Church. The family will receive friends at 44 Queen Street, immediately following the service. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel. William was born January 23, 1959, with Downs Syndrome. He was a loving, playful, joyful gentleman throughout his entire life. He was a leading change maker for the developmentally disabled, inspiring his parents to start pre-schools, camps, and activities of all sorts which had been previously denied them. He even inspired the founding of the Coastal Center and The Protection and Advocacy Agency for people like him. He is survived by his siblings, Suzanne C. Ravenel, Arthur Ravenel III (Heidi) Renee Ravenel Brockinton (Harvey), Eva Ravenel and Thomas J. J. Ravenel; his uncles, Edward Ravenel (Patty), James B. Rodgers (Sue), John C. Rodgers (Elizabeth), Sandy Bee (Mary Ann); aunt Ann Rodgers; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. William’s family would like to recognize and thank all of his wonderful caregivers at Coastal Center. He loved you all. As William would say, “Hallelujah!!””
Thomas has suffered many family losses in recent years. His beloved father, Arthur Ravenel Jr., passed away on January 16, 2023.
Former State Senator Arthur Ravenel Jr. passed away on Monday at the age of 95, as confirmed by his family.
Thomas’ political career spanned several decades, with notable service in various capacities. He represented Charleston, Georgetown, and Horry counties in the State House from 1953 to 1958, and later served as a state senator from 1981 to 1986. Additionally, Ravenel held the position of United States Representative for South Carolina’s first congressional district from 1987 to 1995. After a brief hiatus, he returned to Columbia in 1997, resuming his role as a state senator until 2003.
Among his many achievements, Ravenel’s legacy is perhaps most prominently marked by his instrumental role in securing funding for the construction of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. This bridge, connecting Mount Pleasant and the greater Charleston areas, stands as a testament to Ravenel’s dedication to infrastructure development. In a 2015 interview with News 2, Ravenel emphasized that his primary motivation for returning to the South Carolina Senate in 1997 was to secure funding for the bridge project.
Months after Arthur Ravenel Jr. passed away — Thomas’ esteemed mother, Louise Ravenel Dougherty, has sadly passed away at the age of 94, on October 15, 2023.
A remarkable Charlestonian, Louise Ravenel Dougherty dedicated her life to fiercely advocating for the rights of physically and mentally disabled individuals, initiating change and fostering acceptance long before a national movement was established.
Press play below to watch William Ravenel’s funeral:
In addition to William, Thomas has an older brother, Arthur Ravenel III, as well as three older sisters named Suzanne, Renee, and Eva.
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