William A. Renault, 91, avid golfer took to the stage
October 19, 2023
William Alan Renault of the Tradition Club died Oct. 6 at Embrace Hospice House in Myrtle Beach. He was 91.
He was born June 4, 1932, in Manhattan, the son of William Ambrose Renault and Eileen Patricia Renault. He grew up in the Bronx and graduated from Mount St. Michael High School. He worked for a brokerage firm while taking college classes at night, but enlisted in the Army at the start of the Korean War.
He trained in tanks at Fort Knox, Ky., and was sent to officer candidate school at Fort Benning, Ga. After his discharge at the end of the war, he stayed in the South and married his wife, Jeanette, in Atlanta in 1955.
Mr. Renault worked in the women’s clothing industry as a product and sales manager for Vanity Fair Mills and national sales manager for Totes.
He moved around the country during his career and completed his education with a master’s degree in business administration from California State University.
Mr. Renault was an avid golfer, which led him to retire to the Tradition Club, where he was secretary of the men’s group for many years and a member of the Gold Tees group.
He was also engaged in the community as a board member of the Waccamaw Neck Civic Association and the Waccamaw Neck Council of POAs, following land use and traffic issues.
Mr. Renault also took up theater, performing with the Murrells Inlet Community Theater and the Swamp Fox Players.
“That was something that was a latent interest,” his wife said. “He loved the theater.”
He had lead roles in “On Golden Pond” and “The Sunshine Boys.”
“You don’t get too many opportunities to play really strong characters at my age,” he said of his role as Norman Thayer in “On Golden Pond” in a 2004 interview.
Mr. Renault was appointed to the Georgetown County Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee, representing arts and cultural interests.
He was also a Sir Knight in the Knights of Columbus and was active in raising funds for the community and for St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Georgetown.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, PaulKelly Renault (Trina) of Pawleys Island; and his sister-in-law, Judy Good of Manhattan.
His brother, Robert Renault, died before him.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Embrace Hospice House, 175 Village Center Blvd., Myrtle Beach, SC 29579.
