Eldred Winton “Whit” Cline Jr., 87, of Chapin, husband to Sandra Power Cline, died peacefully after a recent illness on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Whit was born in Jacksonville, Florida to Eldred Winton Cline and Florence Tanner Cline. He grew up in Atlanta, Georgia with his parents and sister Wanda Cline Boylston. He graduated from Druid Hills High School and continued his education in Charleston, South Carolina at The Citadel. He was a proud member of The Citadel Class of 1959. He joined the United States Marine Corps and was assigned to the Second Marine Division located at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
After completion of four years of active duty as a Marine Corps officer, he served in the United States Marine Corps reserves for another 16 years. Achieving a final rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Whit served as commanding officer of the Columbia Marine Corps reserves unit until his military retirement in 1979.
He married Mary Sandra Power in Trinity Cathedral Columbia, S.C. in 1964. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Eldred Winton Cline III (Anna), Brian Power Cline (Amy), Jason Chappell Cline and Amy Cline King (Jeremy). He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Tanner Moore Cline, Baylee Cline Parker (Cameron), Elizabeth Kalina Cline, Andrew Winton Cline, Lillie Lauren Cline, Chase Duval Cline, and Whitney King.
Whit worked as an independent contractor for LG Balfour Company and Taylor Publishing Company. He sold class rings, graduation supplies, and yearbooks to many high schools throughout the state of South Carolina. Known as “the Ring man” he eventually retired in 2004.
Throughout his life, he was active in many church and community activities. He and Sandi were founding members of Saint Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, where he served as junior warden. He spent four years coaching Little League baseball in the 1970s in the Irmo area. He was president of the Chapin High School improvement council in 1984.
In retirement, he and Sandi moved to Edisto Beach and lived there full-time for almost 10 years. He enjoyed working part time at The Plantation Club at Edisto in the golf shop.
He spent his final years back in Chapin, South Carolina at the home he and Sandi built in 1977. He spent many evenings on his front porch enjoying the sunset views overlooking Lake Murray.
A service celebrating Whit’s life will be held Saturday, August 2, 2025 at Saint Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, Chapin, South Carolina at 11 am. Visitation will follow the service. Memorials may be made in his memory to Saint Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church Chapin, SC or The Citadel Foundation, 171 Moultrie St, Charleston, SC 29409.