Timmons, and his wife Eva, birthed a dynasty that’s contributed millions to support projects across the region.

Over the years, the real estate arm of the family business has developed Greenville’s first mall (Wade Hampton Mall), which is now owned by Bob Jones University, restaurants and retail at I-85 and Pelham Road, and the mixed-use NorthPointe, which stands in various stages of occupancy and completion at the corner of Wade Hampton Boulevard and Stone Avenue. Sydney Timmons Taylor’s brother, Rick Timmons, currently serves as senior vice president of investments and board member at Canal, and financial vice president and board member of Central Realty Holdings. Currently, Canal employs 233, while providing insurance to trucking operations in 48 states. That’s the way it was: old school.”Īfter decades at Canal, both Sydney Timmons Taylor and Chuck Timmons retired, yet today remain engaged by serving on family-company boards. “My Uncle Charlie once said he tried to make other employees forget he’s a Timmons. “As long as I worked really, really hard, I figured I might as well be doing it for the family business,” she shares.

“We love to work hard and grow our family business, and we love to give back to the community.”Īnother cousin in the ranks: Sydney Timmons Taylor. “Our parents worked long hours and it grew much bigger, so we were driven to do the same,” he explains. Pelham’s cousin Chuck Timmons was the last family member to serve as president and CEO of Canal Insurance, before the company and board looked to outside executives and directors as a “best practices” approach. “There’s a definite pride in ownership, but we’ve been lucky, and my uncles were very smart in what they did, and current leadership has expanded it as well.” “Most family businesses don’t survive to the third generation,” reveals Pelham. Those two companies grew into bigger businesses, side businesses and a holding company that continue to operate today. He also utilized his entrepreneurial spirit to build Central Realty Corporation and Canal Insurance. Upon his return, he doubled the size of the Upstate’s oldest business organization: the Greenville Chamber of Commerce. William Timmons graduated from Furman University to enter World War I. To call William Richardson Timmons a leader is like saying Greenville has a small stream trickling through downtown. I’m told he was a magnificent tenor, a leader and an entrepreneur.” “I never knew him,” Pelham reveals of his grandfather. Everyone can trace their lineage back to William R.

Pelham is third-generation through his mother, Jean Timmons Pelham. The burgeoning document lists just over 100, including spouses and fifth-generation newborns. Road map to successĪrchitect Bill Pelham scans the Timmons family directory. The Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Furman University, Christ Church Episcopal School, the Metropolitan Arts Council, the Peace Center and dozens of other nonprofit groups bear the fingerprints of this five-generation, Greenville-based family. The donation of the highly-used public green space is just one of many ways the Timmons family has left its mark upon the community. Safe! The home team dugout at Timmons Park comes alive, as cheers ripple across the 26-acre haven nestled between Wade Hampton Avenue and East North Street. Join us each month as we Delve into their legacies, which continue to impact all who live here today.Ī dust of red clay shoots into the air as the runner slides into third. The Greenville Journal is committed to telling the stories of the people and places that shaped our city.

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