William Jeff (Bill) "Battie-Cat" Jennings

William Jeff (Bill) “Battie-Cat” Jennings, age 74, passed away Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at Newberry Health Hospital in Newberry, SC. He was born in Whitmire, SC, and was a son of the late Harmon Eugene Jennings, Sr., and Mildred Frances Summers Jennings.

“Battie-Cat” was a 1971 graduate of Whitmire High School, where he was inducted into the Whitmire High School Hall of Fame on May 14, 1998. He was also a graduate of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in Columbia, SC. Most of his career was spent in law enforcement.

“Battie-Cat” had a great sense of humor! He loved the outdoors, especially loved to hunt and fish, was a big USC Gamecocks fan, but his greatest love was for his family and friends.

He is survived by his daughter, Brantley Nicole Jennings Nelson (Chris), his son, Barrett Alston Jennings (Jamie), and his daughter, Amber Nicole Jennings; his grandchildren, Michaela Nicole Nelson, Matthew Thomas Nelson, Hannah Adair Nelson, Nicholas James Nelson, Hunter Isaiah Jennings, River Adair Jennings, Charlotte Elizabeth Duncan, and Declan Elliot Duncan. He is also survived by a brother, Robbie Gregg Jennings (Linda), and his best friend of more than 50 years, Larry Evans (Kathy).

In addition to his parents, “Battie-Cat” was predeceased by brothers, Harmon Eugene “Trigger” Jennings, Jr., and Michael Alton Jennings.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday at 3:00 PM February 15, 2026, at Gray Funeral Home Chapel in Whitmire, SC, with visitation one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to Shriners’ Hospital for Children.

Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.grayfuneralhome.com

Gray Funeral Home of Whitmire is honored to assist the Jennings family with services.