J. Carrol Busbee, Sr.

AIKEN, SC – Chief J. Carrol Busbee, Sr., 86, retired Director of Aiken Public Safety, departed this life on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at his residence.

Chief Busbee was born in Aiken, a son of the late James Gabriel Busbee and Myrtle Flynn Jones. He served in the US Navy during the Korean War, and shortly after returning home, he was hired as a paid volunteer fireman with the Aiken Fire Department. He was subsequently hired as a full-time Fire Equipment Operator, appointed Fire and Building Inspector, promoted to Fire Chief and Building Inspector, and ultimately promoted to Director of Aiken Public Safety where he served for 30 years.

During Chief Busbee’s tenure as Chief, the new Public Safety Building on Laurens Street was completed, the full integration of the Public Safety Department began, the Public Safety Training Grounds were completed, Aiken Department of Public Safety became the first fire department in South Carolina to reach Class II ISO Rating, two new Public Safety substations were completed, and ADPS received accreditation by the Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). After his retirement in 1999, Chief Busbee became a volunteer fireman with ADPS, and took a position as part-time business license inspector, retiring from that position in 2014.

He was a member of the S.C. Fireman’s Association for 40 years and served as its President from 1980-1990. For two decades he served on the Executive Board of the S.C. Fire Chiefs Association and more than 10 years on the Executive Commission of the S.C. Fire Marshal Office.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Rosemary Plunkett Busbee; children, James C. Busbee, Jr. (Michelle), Steve C. Busbee (Debbie), Carrolanne Proto (Richard), James M. Williams (Joanna), Casey E. Busbee; grandchildren, Clint Busbee, Jennifer Roemmich (Caleb), Chad Busbee (Jamie), Brandon Busbee, Leighanne Barefoot (Scott), Rebecca Busbee, Hunter, Fischer and Sullivan Williams, Holdren, Colin, McCarten, Simpson and Ryall Drake; great grandchildren, Noel and Haven Busbee, Brice, Summerlin and Joseph Fishburne, Aiden Roemmich, Sophie and Caroline Busbee, Layla and Gage Wright, and Faith Wright; sisters, Sally Hunst, Sara Osteen (Kevin); brother, John Jordan (Mary); a niece, Patty Hammac (Roy),; nephew, Richard Conway; numerous other nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, Robert F. Busbee; daughter, Gabrielle Busbee; sister Jimmie Busbee.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, January 7, 2019 at First Baptist Church, Aiken, with the Reverend Dr. Fred W. Andrea, III and the Reverend J. Ronnie Brewer officiating. Interment with honors will follow in Bethany Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons.

Honorary pallbearers will be current and former members of the Aiken Department of Public Safety, and the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office Command Staff.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 3157, Aiken, SC 29802.

The family will receive friends from 3:00-7:00 PM Sunday evening at SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC

Chief Busbee’s online guest book may be signed at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com