Samuel "Sam" Eugene Botkin

Samuel “Sam” Eugene Botkin, 89, went to be with his Lord and Savior April 28, 2023. He was born January 12, 1934, Fulton County, IL to Samuel and Mabel Carpenter Botkin. He graduated from Bushnell-Prairie City High School in 1952. He married Frances M. Herrin on August 18, 1956, in Smithfield, IL, she preceded him in death August 2013. He is survived by his daughters, Elaine (Chuck) Helm, Kennesaw, GA, and Fran (Sonny) Barnes, Barnwell, SC; grandchildren, Bryce (Jennifer) Barnes , Spartanburg, SC, Andrea Helm (Logan Parker), Acworth, GA, and Blake (Morgan) Barnes, Barnwell, SC; great-grandchildren, William, Kristopher, Jameson, and Elijah Barnes, Spartanburg, SC, and Norah Barnes, Barnwell, SC; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Finnegan, Aiken, SC, and Lorena Wood Jackson, Eureka, SC; and many dearly loved nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Phillip Eugene Botkin; brothers, Claude (late Inez) Botkin, Wayne (late Genevieve) Botkin, Bryce (late Jeannine) Botkin; brother-in-law, Lester Thomas; sisters, Fern (late Tom) McKeown, Maxine (late Dale English and Austin Reed), and Irene (late George) Gilbert; one niece, two nephews, and one great nephew.

Sam was in the Army 1952-1956, serving in the Korean Conflict where he drove a truck and stationed at Fort Gordon, GA, when he returned home. After his service in the military, he was in the trucking business working for Hicks Gas & Oil and Southland Corporation, Champaign, IL; Pre-Fab Transit, Farmer City, IL; and Conway Southern Express, North Augusta, SC. When he retired, he drove part time for FedEx for several years. He was a resident of the Veterans Victory House in Walterboro, SC since December 2021 and enjoyed spending his time visiting with other Veterans and sharing stories. His hobbies included NASCAR, dirt track racing, playing card, board games, traveling and camping, but most of all spending time with his family. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Vaucluse, SC; was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 55 in Farmer City, IL; member of Campers on Mission in SC; and served at NASCAR tracks assisting Motor Racing Outreach Ministries (MRO).

A Funeral Service, honoring his life, will be held at 11 A.M. Tuesday May 2, 2023, at the Chapel of Napier Funeral Home. The burial will follow at Aiken Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Pallbearers will be Tracy Wood, Alan Herrin, Jerry Willingham, Kenneth Best, Tim Barnes, and Marvin Rhoades.

The family would like to thank the Veterans Victory House for the outstanding care Sam received while he was a resident.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Vaucluse First Baptist Church, 2 Church St., Aiken, SC, 29801.