Obituary of Philip G. Palmer

Philip “Phil” G. Palmer, 76, husband of Suzanne H. Palmer, passed away on Friday, March, 4, 2022, at his home. Born July 1, 1945, he was the son of the late Robert D. and Belle C. Palmer. Mr. Palmer attended Sumter’s public schools, graduating third in his class at Edmunds High School in 1963. He enrolled at Duke University, majoring in accounting, and was a magna cum laude graduate in 1967. He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He passed the CPA exam prior to graduating in 1967. In July 1967 Phil enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, completing his service of four years with the rank of captain. Upon discharge, he was employed by Price Waterhouse, an international accounting firm, working in Winston-Salem, NC for four years. Returning to Sumter in 1975, he was a partner in the accounting firm Benson, Bultman, King, and Palmer. In 1998, with his wife, Suzanne H. Palmer, CPA, he formed the firm of P.G. Palmer & Co., eventually employing four additional CPA’s. He retired from the practice of accounting in June 2016. He served the Sumter community as a member of the boards of the Sumter County Library, Wilson Hall School, the Sumter Rotary Club, the Sumter Gallery of Art, The Arthur O’Neil Educational Fund, the Sumter Community Foundation, the Salvation Army Boy’s and Girl’s Club, Home Federal Savings & Loan, Tuomey Hospital and United Ministries. He also served three terms on the vestry of the Church of the Holy Comforter, of which he was a lifetime member. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne H. Palmer, two sisters, Anne H. Palmer of Decatur, GA and Catherine C. Palmer of Beaufort, SC; a son, Austin L. Palmer (Michelle) of Denver, NC and three grandchildren, Lea, Aidan and Cameron Palmer. Memorial services will be held 10 A.M. Thursday at the Church of the Holy Comforter with the Rev. David Booman and the Rev. John Sosnowski officiating. The family will receive friends following the memorial service in the Parish Hall. Private Burial will be in the Sumter Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Church of the Holy Comforter, 213 N. Main Street, Sumter, SC 29150 or to Sumter United Ministries, P. O. Box 1017, Sumter, SC 29151. Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.