Hundreds mourn at first memorial for fire victim

FLORENCE, S.C. (AP) — Hundreds filled church pews to mourn 18-year-old William Rhea, one of the University of South Carolina students killed in the North Carolina beach house fire.

The headmaster of Rhea’s former high school asked mourners to remember the young man’s crooked smile, his exuberant spirit and the love he showed for his family, friends and all he met.

Robert Veto of the Trinity Collegiate School also said Rhea was loved by everyone he knew.

In all, six USC students and one Clemson student perished in the fire in Ocean Isle Beach. Rhea’s older brother, Andrew, escaped the fire with minor injuries.

The service for Rhea is being held in Florence at the First Presbyterian Church.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)