William Rufus Chassereau, Sr.

William Rufus Chassereau, Sr., 96, passed away on August 15, 2026, at the Veterans Victory House in Walterboro, South Carolina. 

Born August 8, 1930, in Grays, South Carolina, Rufus was the son of the late Canie Cummings Chassereau and Tinnie Smith Chassereau.

Rufus proudly served his country in the United States Army and was stationed in Korea. Following his military service, he worked for Bostick Oil & Tire Company for more than 35 years. He also had a brief stint selling insurance, but after quickly discovering that the insurance business was not his forte, Rufus decided to return to what he knew best. In 1985, he opened Rufus’ Used Tires, which he and his beloved wife, Doris, operated together for many years. Rufus finally retired and closed the tire shop in 2021.

Rufus joined Cypress Creek Baptist Church when he was just 15 years old. His faith and service to the church remained an important part of his life. He served as Chairman of the Deacons for 30 years, until the church closed. He then joined Nixville Baptist Church, as Rufus would tell it, “back when Wayne Key was the pastor and was only 19 years old.” He served as a Deacon for many years and continues to be an Honorary Deacon. There were not many Sundays when Rufus could not be found sitting near the front of the church, with his hearing aids occasionally whistling later in life. He rarely missed a Sunday until his health began to decline during his final years.

Rufus “deerly” loved to hunt and fish, although those who knew him might say he enjoyed frying and eating the fish even more than he enjoyed catching them. For more than 15 years, Rufus “worked” at Bostick Hunting Club — or “Heaven,” as Doris affectionately called it. Whenever someone asked where “Big” Rufus was, more often than not, Doris’ answer was simply, “Heaven.”

Above all else, Rufus loved his family. He was always ready for the next big Sunday lunch, family gathering, or opportunity to sit and visit with the people he loved. Those gatherings, filled with family, food, conversation, and laughter, were some of his greatest joys.

Rufus is survived by his son, Dennis Chassereau and wife, Dodie; daughter-in-law, Elaine Chassereau; grandchildren, Lynne Phillips (Aubrey), Debby Tebeau (Jonathan), and Neil Chassereau (Kayella); great-granddaughters, Leanna Adams (Graham) and Cameron Harrison (Parker), who lovingly renamed him “Big”; great-grandson, Jonathan Tebeau II (China); and another great-grandchild on the way, Neil and Kayella‘s baby. Mike Andrews, who was always special to Rufus and like a grandson.

He is also survived by his great-great-grandchildren, Ava Grace Adams, Kennedy Harrison, Leighton Tebeau, Jaxon Tebeau, and Arya Tebeau; his brother, Eugene Chassereau of Ohio; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends whom he treasured dearly.

Rufus was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Doris Tuten Chassereau, who he married on November 18, 1950; his parents; his son, William Rufus Chassereau, Jr.; four sisters, Edna Hull, Daisy Breland, Ruby Avant, and Maudie Harvey; two brothers, Hoyt Chassereau and Harold Chassereau; and one half-brother, Oregon Smith.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to Pat Jarrell for the kindness, compassion, and care she gave Rufus during his illness. Also, a special thank you to the faculty and staff at the Veterans Victory House in Walterboro for their care and patience shown over the last month.

Rufus lived a long life defined by hard work, faith, family, and the simple things he loved most — a Sunday at church, a good meal surrounded by family, a day spent at the hunting club, and, of course, a mess of fish ready for the frying pan. To generations of his family, he was simply “Big,” and his stories, humor, love, and presence will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Funeral Services will be 11 AM Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in the Nixville Baptist Church located at 3915 Two Sisters Ferry Road, Estill, SC 29918. Burial will follow in the Stafford Baptist Church Cemetery in Furman, SC. 

Visitation will be from 6 PM – 8 PM Monday, August 17, 2026, at Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home, Hampton Chapel, located at 300 Mulberry St. W., Hampton, SC 29924.

Memorials in his memory may be directed to Stafford Baptist Cemetery, Post Office Box 85, Furman, SC 29921.