Born in Honea Path, he was the son of the late Benjamin Fred and Isabelle Allison Banister. He was a member of the Honea Path First Baptist Church. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in September of 1958 where he received on the job training as Air Policeman at Altus AFB, Ok. He served in Air Security Police Squadrons at Oklahoma, Canada, Montana, South Carolina, Alaska, and his most memorable assignment was with the 377^th SPS at Ton Son Nhnt Air Base, Vietnam. He was a member of the first AFSP squadron to receive the Outstanding Unit Award with the Combat “V” for combat action that occurred Dec.4 thru Dec. 6, 1966. He retired in October of 1978 at Charleston AFB and moved back to his hometown in 1986. His wife, Vera, his daughter, LaCinda, and son, Billy were the loves of his life.

Surviving are his wife of the home, a son, William (Billy) Banister and wife Darcy of Fayetteville, N. C.; a daughter, LaCinda McCormack and husband Steve of Blackville;; two sisters, Joanne B. Anderson of Honea Path and Lynna B. Beeks and husband Randy of Belton; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren,and  a step-son, Tommy Baldwin of Honea Path He was pre-deceased by his wife, Deloris Rowlett Banister,  a son, Richard (Ricky) Banister and a granddaughter, Melissa Ashley McCormack.

Funeral services will be held at 2 P.M. Saturday at Honea Path First Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Moody officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Eastview Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 P.M. Friday at Pruitt Funeral Home. The body will be placed in the church at 1 P.M. Saturday. The family is at the home of his sister, Joanne Anderson, 112 Shirmadon, Honea Path. The family requests that flowers be omitted and memorials made to Honea Path First Baptist Church Building Fund, 100 S. Main St., Honea Path, S.C. 29654 or to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, S.C. 29621. Online condolences may be made at www.ParkerWhitePruitt.com