Written by Babbie Guscio

n some small towns the old ways still exist. Breeding counts and the old boys still hold court. Everyone has a place and Bluffton is no exception.

When Donna asked me if I would like to interview Tommy Heyward, I was thrilled. My relationship with Tommy goes back many years and I just adore him. He is warm, wonderful and delightful. It was my pleasure to get up close and personel with Tommy Heyward, one of Bluffton’s good ‘ol boys.

Where were you born?
I was born at home, in Bluffton, on March 6th 1942.

You have an interesting family origin, can you tell us about it?
My family came to South Carolina in 1620. They moved to this area in 1741 from James Island, near Charleston, I am the great, great, great, great grandson of Thomas Heyward, Jr., who signed the Declaration of Independence. My grandfather, Daniel Heyward, was Bluffton’s longest serving Mayor. My parents were Gaillard and Lucille Heyward. My mother was Bluffton’s Postmaster for 22 years. I was married first to Clare Walker from McCormick, South Carolina. We had three children. Clare died of cancer in 1991. I married Joan Mathews of Savannah in 1992. My children are aged 36, 34 and 20.

Where is your place of residence now?
I still live in Bluffton, we have a small farm on Foreman Hill Road.

What is your educational background?
I attended the local public school and the University of South Carolina. I am presently working on a degree in Biblical Studies. Plus all the training I had to become a commercial pilot. I also was an advanced paramedic, which took a whole lot of schooling.

Do you have any hobbies?
I used to hunt and fish and ride horses. Now I fish some, and enjoy working in my garden and driving my horses.

Tell us the place that has had the most influence on your life.
That would have to be growing up here and being able to enjoy living in a small town as Bluffton. It has had an enduring effect on my life. I have lived a very good life, so far.

What is your favorite food?
I have lots of favorite things to eat. That’s why I’m so large, but my very favorite thing must be Bluffton oysters, cooked in brown gravy and served over rice, next would be butterbeans over rice.

If you could fix dinner for four people, who would they be?
I would like to have George and Laura Bush along with Dick and Lynn Chaney.

What is your favorite book?
I read a lot of historical books and religious material, but my favorite book would probably be The Godfather.

And your favorite movie?
My favorite movie would have to be Gone With the Wind, followed by Patton.

What is the best present you ever received?
Joanie bought an original warrant which my great, great, great, great grandfather, Thomas Heyward, Jr. signed in 1787 when he was a Judge.

What about the best trip you have ever taken?
Joanie and I went to Italy a few years ago. We started in Rome and worked our way down to Sicily. We met Pope John Paul II. It was a special time.

Tell us about your fondest memory of Bluffton?
My fondest memory would be growing up in Bluffton, swimmimg in the Heyward Cove, riding horses on Foot Point with Hank and Billy, camping out on the Ulmer’s Islands, playing with Johnny Cantrell, Jim Walker, Alfred Miles, Bobby Schroder, The Gahagan boys, The Grave’s boys, Allan and Alex Ulmer, Gene and Richard Smith, Joe Pitts and all those young people from Savannah and Estill and Allendale that came every summer. It was great.

What was your most embarrassing moment?
It came recently on a return trip from San Francisco. I was placing an item in the overhead compartment and my pants fell down to my knees. I think everyone on the aircraft saw it happen.

What is the one thing that people may not know about you?
I am a very spiritual person. Always have been. Because of that, I am a very happy and contented person.

Where is your favorite place to eat?
Actually, my favorite place to eat is at home. Next to that, it would at Stiles Harper’s

Why do you live in Bluffton?
I live in Bluffton because I want to. I feel comfortable moving about town amongst friends of a lifetime. Whenever I go to the Palmetto State Bank, the Pig, The Sipping’ Cow, Bees’, or one of the newer places, people know who I am. I like to wave and get a wave in return. I like to go to The Church of the Cross. But most of all, my roots are here. And whenever I am away, I know that all roads lead me back to Bluffton.