The Rev. Dr. William Paterson Rhett, Jr.

The Rev. Dr. William Paterson Rhett, Jr., 95, of Charleston, died Friday, September 11, 2026 after a brief illness.

Dr. Rhett was born in Charleston, SC. He had two brothers, Thomas Hughes Rhett and Robert Cornell Rhett, both of whom are deceased. He was the husband of Dorothy Irene Carson Rhett, the son of Margaret Hughes Rhett and William Paterson Rhett, M.D., and the grandson of Robert Barnwell Rhett, M.D. and Margaret Butler Cornell Rhett and of Thomas Whaley Hughes and Margaret Fishburne Hughes.

The Rev. Dr. Rhett earned a BS from the University of Charleston in 1953; a M. Div. from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1960, a M.Ed. from Temple University in 1968, the Ed. D. from Auburn University in 1973, and did post-doctoral study at The Family and Marital Institute, California, and at MUSC.

He served as an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of South Carolina while maintaining a practice as a licensed psychologist, serving as a professor at The Citadel, and also as a chaplain in the US Air Force Reserves.

During his academic career at The Citadel, Dr. Rhett instituted and for over a decade was Coordinator of the Graduate School of Clinical and School Counseling. He founded the Helping Professions Workshop at The Citadel and the Alpha Tau Chi Chapter of the Counseling Academic and Honor Society International. The latter was named the William Rhett Chapter to honor him when he retired. He was also the recipient of the Teaching Award at The Citadel where he taught for twenty-seven years, retiring as Professor Emeritus in 1995.

He served in the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina as rector of Christ-St. Paul's Church, as Assistant Rector at St. Michael's Church, assisted at St. Philip's Church for over thirty years, and conducted worship services throughout the diocese of South Carolina when needed.

He was the Psychological Examiner and Member of the Commission on Ministry for the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina for twenty-seven years. Licensed by the state of South Carolina as a psychologist, he offered psychological and theological counsel in his private practice.

As a Chaplain in USAF, he worked on projects in Washington, D.C. for the Chief of Chaplains of USAF, served at McGuire Air Force Base, and as Site Chaplain at Shemya, Alaska in the Alaska Air Command. In his USAF career of twenty-eight years, he received The Meritorious Award and retired as a Colonel.

He became a Supervisor in the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, was a Member of the American Association of Psychologists, was listed in Who's Who in Science and Engineers, and was a member of numerous social organizations including: The St. Cecilia Society, Society of Colonial Wars (serving as Governor and Chaplain), Society of the Cincinnati, Widows and Orphans Society of South Carolina, The Carolina Yacht Club, and The Charleston Club.

During semi-retirement he wrote articles for The Mercury newspaper, combining religion, science, and humorous events with his wife whom he adored. He also painted oil portraits, gave invocations/blessings for five organizations, and visited the sick with Holy Unction and counseling.

Witnessing for God, his marriage to Dorothy Carson Rhett, and his caring for people were his passions and purposes in life.

A funeral service, followed by a graveside burial in the Churchyard, will be held at St. Philip’s Church at 142 Church Street at 11:00 am on Wednesday, September 23rd. Friends and family are invited to a reception following the burial at the Carolina Yacht Club at 50 East Bay Street.

Contributions in Dr. Rhett’s memory may be made to:

The Charleston Day School Dorothy Rhett Speech Contest,
Charleston Day School, 15 Archdale Street, Charleston, SC 29401

The St. Philip's Church Music Program,
142 Church Street, Charleston, SC 29401

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