Mr. Self worked with his family’s business, Greenwood Mills. After graduating from The Citadel in 1941, he served in the Coast Artillery for five years, achieving the rank of major. Mr. Self and his father are the first father-son laureates to be inducted into the South Carolina Business Hall of Fame. Mr. Self served on numerous bank, railroad and educational boards, as well as on several foundation boards – the family’s Self Foundation among them. Under Mr. Self’s leadership, the Foundation focused on genetic research to cure birth defects and mental retardation in children. He was a primary force in establishing the Greenwood Genetics Center, now a world-class research facility with a goal of preventing genetic defects. With visionary astuteness, Mr. Self saw the potential of Hilton Head Island and pioneered its development. His vast experience made him a valuable member of The Duke Endowment’s Board of Trustees from 1974 to 1995. When asked about his success, Mr. Self said: “I’ve just been blessed with fine people to work with.”