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GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (BFMG) — Weeks before a Pawleys Island church sex offender scandal exploded into public view, a convicted sex offender signed a sweeping power of attorney giving the pastor’s wife broad authority over nearly every aspect of his financial and personal affairs, public records show.
A General Durable Power of Attorney filed April 27, 2026, in Georgetown County names Ginny L. Williams as agent for Warren Spencer Perry, a registered sex offender at the center of a criminal investigation involving Pawleys Island Community Church and its school, Pawleys Island Christian Academy. The document designates Pastor Donald J. Williams as successor agent if Ginny Williams is “unable or unwilling to serve.
Document recorded as church investigation widened
The five-page power of attorney was prepared by Grimes Law Firm, P.A., in Georgetown and recorded in the county’s Register of Deeds office under Book 4998, pages 275–279, with a recording date of April 27, 2026.
Perry signed the document on April 27, 2026, before witness Mallory L. Shelton and notary public Mary Allston Grimes, according to the acknowledgment section. The filing identifies Perry as a resident of Georgetown County and labels the instrument a “General Durable Power of Attorney,” meaning it remains in effect even if he becomes physically or mentally incapacitated.
Ginny Williams named as primary agent, pastor as backup
In the opening section, Perry appoints Ginny Williams “to serve as my Agent to exercise the powers set forth herein,” and states that if she is “unable or unwilling to serve or to continue to serve,” Donald J. Williams will serve as successor agent. The document specifies that the successor agent cannot act so long as Ginny Williams is living, competent and has not resigned or been removed.
Perry also revokes all prior general powers of attorney he had granted, except for any limited authorities created on bank forms that allow him to write checks, deposit or withdraw funds, or access a safe deposit box. Those existing banking powers remain in effect.
“Broad” and “absolute” powers over property and finances
The document’s “Empowerment of Agent” section states that the powers given to Williams are intended to be construed “broadly and in favor of my Agent’s ability to act for my benefit and the benefit of my family and my dependents.” It authorizes her, in “absolute discretion,” to act with respect to Perry’s person and property, “real or personal,” without court authorization, even if he becomes mentally incompetent.
Specific clauses empower the agent to:
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“Exercise or perform any act, power, duty, right or obligation whatsoever” Perry now has or may later acquire, in connection with any person, transaction, business or property, tangible or intangible.
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“Request, ask, demand, sue for, recover, collect, receive, and hold and possess” money, debts, deposits, stock, retirement benefits, insurance proceeds, real and personal property, and to settle, compromise and release claims on his behalf.
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Buy, sell, mortgage, lease, manage, repair or otherwise deal with real and personal property, and conduct “any and all lawful business” in his name.
The power of attorney also authorizes the agent to access bank accounts, negotiate checks and drafts, handle certificates of deposit and other financial instruments, and withdraw or deposit funds in Perry’s name or jointly with the agent.
Authority to make gifts and renounce interests
The document goes beyond routine bill-paying powers. One section allows the agent to “make gifts, grants, or other transfers without consideration either outright or in trust” to persons or organizations the agent deems appropriate, including charitable, scientific or educational institutions, so long as gifts qualify for charitable deductions under tax law.
Another clause permits the agent to renounce or disclaim any property or interests Perry may be entitled to receive by gift or inheritance, and to consider estate and inheritance tax effects when doing so. The agent is instructed not to make disclaimers barred by other parts of the instrument.
Perry grants his agent “full power and authority to do, take, and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite, proper, or necessary” under the power of attorney, ratifying and confirming all actions taken lawfully by the agent or successor agent.
Durable through incapacity, limits on liability for third parties
The form specifies that the power of attorney “shall not be affected by physical disability or mental incompetence” and that any lawful acts by the agent during a period of disability will bind Perry “as if I were mentally competent and not disabled.” Third parties who rely on the agent’s representation of authority are protected from liability for allowing the agent to act, and are not responsible for ensuring proper application of funds.
Under a “Miscellaneous Provisions” section, the document explains how an agent or successor agent can resign by recording a written resignation, and how Perry can remove an agent or successor agent by a written instrument recorded in county records. The powers take effect immediately and remain in force until revoked in writing with the same formality as the original execution.
Filed amid wider scrutiny of church’s handling of sex offender
The power-of-attorney filing comes as Georgetown County authorities continue investigating how Perry — previously convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor — was allowed to work around children at Pawleys Island Community Church and Pawleys Island Christian Academy. Sheriff’s officials have said church leadership, including Don and Ginny Williams, knew of Perry’s status on the sex offender registry and are now facing criminal charges tied to his access to children.
The newly filed document formally places Perry’s financial and legal decision-making in the hands of Ginny Williams, with her husband designated as backup, potentially giving the church’s former leadership significant control over the affairs of the man at the center of the case.
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