Gaffney -- Thompson Irvin "Tommy" Whelchel, 64, of 100 Spruce Street, passed away Saturday, January 16th, 2016, at his residence. Born in Gaffney, he was the son of the late Basil Whelchel Sr. and Elizabeth Falls Whelchel Childers. Mr. Whelchel previously worked with Duke Power and was a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church. Surviving Mr. Whelchel are two brothers, Junior Whelchel and wife, Patricia, of Gaffney, and Paul Whelchel of Blacksburg; three nephews, Michael Whelchel and wife, Tammy, Brian Whelchel and wife, Kristen, all of Blacksburg, and Jody Parton and wife, Judy, of Georgia; three nieces, Teresa Thompson and husband, Doug, of Gaffney, Michelle Whelchel and Amy Hill and fiance, Keoki Heffernan, all of Blacksburg; six great-nephews, Aron Walker, Dalton Whelchel, Aedan Gordon, Greyson Bishop, Liam Whelchel, and Joseph M. Hill Jr.; four great-nieces, Carlee Ayers, Elana Whelchel, Breanna Hill, and Chelsea Hill Hughes; and two great-great-nephews, Damion Hughes and Sawyer Fitzgerald-Walker. In addition to his parents, Mr. Whelchel was preceded in death by his step-father, Delmus Childers; a sister-in-law, Bebe Parker Whelchel; a sister, Nancy Elizabeth Whelchel; and a brother, Dwight David Whelchel. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 19th, 2016, from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Gordon Mortuary. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 20th, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Rock Springs Baptist Church with Rev. Dale Welch and Chaplain Carroll Hutchison officiating. Interment will follow at Oakland Cemetery. Sam Parker, Michael Whelchel, Brian Whelchel, Jerron Daves, Brandon Towery, Sammy Powell, Bill Parker, and Mitchell Smith will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Phillip King and Brad Howington. Memorials may be made to Rock Springs Baptist Church Building Fund, 1184 Rock Springs Road, Blacksburg, SC 29702 or to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312. The family will be at Paul Whelchel's residence, 331 Parker Road, Blacksburg. The Book of Memories is available at www.gordonmortuary.com.