Rock Hill, SC – Mr. William Fulton Baucom, Jr. (Buddy), 73 of Rock Hill, SC, passed away peacefully at his home, August 27, 2026, surround by his family.

Buddy, better known as Pops, was born on August 15, 1953, in Charlotte, NC to the late William Fulton Baucom, Sr. and Harriet Landers Baucom.

Pops graduated from Rock Hill High School, and later began working for Duke Energy. Pops retired from Duke Energy after 40 years. Pops was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Van Wyck, SC. After retirement Pops made it his mission to take care of his prized possession, his 12 acres of beautiful grass.

One thing we could count on was every Friday and Saturday night Buddy was going to be calling around to see who was planning to go to the race. Pops enjoyed racing so much he eventually took his shot at driving his own race car. He began building his own racecar and began racing on the dirt track. Sure enough, he did drive a couple of his cars straight into the wall of the track. However, he would bounce back and be on the race track the following weekend.

He also had a passion for fast motorcycles up until his 60’s when he decided to show off and flipped the motorcycle and ended up with a broken hand. There was no stopping him when it came to speed and danger. That is just who he was.

If you knew Pops, he was always one of a kind. Pops was a beautiful, gentle giant who was willing to help anyone. He will be remembered for his love for his family. As a family we would spend probably 80% of our time together. Our family is known for doing everything together including vacations, birthday celebrations, dinners on the weekend and Sunday. Pops enjoyed hanging out and sharing stories and sipping on Diet Mt. Dew and his Coke Zero or eating chocolate.

He will also be remembered for his need for speed in everything he touched. His passion for fast cars led him straight to the dirt track. If he was not out playing fast and furious, you could catch him on his tractor and lawnmowers. He took pride in getting his property looking like a beautiful landscape right out of a magazine.

Pops was a kind and generous man who absolutely loved his grandchildren and his great grandchildren. They were all his heart. They each had a special unique relationship that they shared with him. Whether it was disassembling a car, riding a dirt bike, going to the race, learning auto mechanic techniques, watching Paw Patrol, Barber or Bluey on his tablet. He was their Pops but the most important treasure he left with them was his love and the things he taught them during those precious times together.

Pops leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love, cherished memories, and the many lives he touched. He is survived by his caring and loving wife, Vickie McCollum Baucom; his children, Shannon Webster (Robert), and Ashley Tuten (Chris); his grandchildren, Holly Humphries, Jordan Tuten (Dailia), Kameron Tuten (Maddie), and Mackenzie Tuten (Mary); great grandchildren, Madden Humphries, Maximus Ames, Liam Tuten, Eleanor Tuten, William Tuten, and Landon Tuten. Pops was also blessed with many nieces and nephews, Michael Baucom (Kim), Skyler Baucom, Hunter Baucom, Miranda Shatley (Jr.) Corey Baucom, Sammy 2 Baucom, Scooter Baucom, Bryson Shatley, Dixie Shatley, Carson Shatley and KiKi Shatley. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers, Sammy and Ronnie Baucom.

The family will be Celebrating Buddy’s life 1:00 pm, Monday, August 31, 2026, at Grandview Memorial Park, 620 S. Cherry Road, Rock Hill, SC with the Dr. Ricky Cope officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the gravesite.

In Lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to Trinity Baptist Church, PO Box 59, Van Wyck, SC 29744.

Whitesell Funeral is serving the family.