Born in Cleveland County, he was the son of the late Adolphus Craig and Estelle Benoy Runyans.

As a teenager, he played baseball with his twin brother and won the American Legion baseball championship at age 17 and was asked to play for the Philadelphia Phillies before he went to serve in the Navy.  He was a United States Navy Air Corp veteran of World War II, where he served as a bombardier in South America, North Africa, Rome, France, and Liverpool, England.  After the war, he graduated from Newberry College and played semi-pro baseball in Laurens, South Carolina.  When he returned home to Shelby in the 1950’s, he was given the franchise out of Washington, Pennsylvania, to set up Manley’s Pony and Colt Baseball League for kids ages 11-15.  He coached more than 3,000 boys in and around Cleveland County.  He also set up sports for junior high school baseball, football, and basketball.  He also coached American Legion baseball for one year.  He retired from coaching in the 1970’s,  and was inducted into the FCA Hall of Fame in 1995.  He was employed with Davis Electrical for 25 years as an electrical engineer before retiring in 1985.  He was a member of Spindale Baptist Church. 

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Frances Pruett Runyans; a sister, Melba Runyans Tate (Bill) and their children, Jan Thompson (Ralph) and Brad Tate, all of Union, SC; a nephew, Ronnie Runyans (Pam) and their sons, Michael and Ty Runyans of Newberry, SC; a great niece and great nephew, Betsy Tate and Josh Tate, both of Union.  He was predeceased by his twin brother, Stanley Runyans.

Visitation will be 1:00 to 2:45 P. M. Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at Cleveland Funeral Services.  Funeral services will follow at 3:00 P. M. at the chapel, officiated by the Rev. Tony Tench and the Rev. Perry Holleman.  Burial will be in Sunset Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice.                       

Also surived by three Sisters and one Brother                                               

Service:            Cleveland Funeral Service Chapel                                                           

Day & Time:              Tuesday  February 15,  2011    2:00 P.M.                       

Officiating:            Dr. Bulo Price                       

Visitation:            Cleveland Funeral Services                                                  

Day & Time:            Tuesday February 15, 2011    1:00 -  2:00PM

Burial:                                   Cleveland Memorial Park

Memorials:            Dover Baptist Church,  1501 Polkville Rd., Shelby, NC 28150   or American Cancer Society, 1901 Brunswick Ave., Charlotte, NC 28207

A guest register is available at

www.clevelandfuneralservice.com

CLEVELAND FUNERAL SERVICES & CREMATORY IS SERVING THE FAMILY.