William Francis Bendt

William Francis "Buddy" Bendt, 102, passed away peacefully on the evening of March 15, 2024. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM, Friday, March 22, 2024, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 5 Saint Teresa Drive, Charleston. The Rite of Committal will follow at Live Oak Memorial Gardens, 3093 Ashley River Road. The family will receive friends between 5:00 and 7:00 PM Thursday evening at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Highway. The Rosary will be recited at 6:30 PM.

Buddy was born on August 7, 1921, to Marie Antionette Seabrook Bendt and William Franklin Bendt. One of four children, their mother died when he was 15 years old. He and his siblings were raised by their grandparents.

Buddy was a true Charlestonian, growing up downtown on Williman, Meeting, and San Souci Streets. He loved Charleston and appreciated sharing history while riding downtown, on the Battery, and around Colonial Lake.

Buddy was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, having received his Sacraments at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and later as a member of St. John Catholic Church. He was a charter member of Perpetual Adoration at Blessed Sacrament, a 3rd and 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, and a member of the Washington Light Infantry.

Buddy was a US Army Veteran, a WWII POW, serving in the 2nd Armored Division (“Hell on Wheels”), landed at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France (D+6). He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and served all the way to the Occupation in Berlin. After the Army, he enlisted in the SC National Guard (Company B) and worked at the Charleston Naval Shipyard, retiring after 38 years. Following his CNSYD retirement, he worked for Charleston Moving and Storage.

Buddy received the prestigious Bronze Star and POW Medal. Other awards include the WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Germany), and Belgian Fourragere Award. He also had an on-field recognition at a USC Gamecocks game on November 19, 2011. In addition, Buddy was Clemson’s “Hero of the Game” on September 5, 2015, with an on-field recognition. The City of Charleston Council declared August 17, 2021, William Bendt Day.

Buddy loved his country, his native Charleston, his Catholic faith, and his friends and family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was predeceased by Dorothy Bazzle Bendt, his wife of 67 years. “Dot” and Buddy could be seen at the activities in which their grandchildren and great-grandchildren were participating. He loved football, basketball, baseball, and softball, and never grasped the concepts of “wrastling” and soccer. He was known around the neighborhood for his little green truck and a quick “Shave and a Haircut, Two Bits” toot of the horn.

Other than his parents and wife, Dorothy, Buddy was predeceased by his siblings, Carolyn Bendt Miller, Juanita Bendt Driggers, and Harold Bendt, many cousins and close friends. He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, W. Larry Bendt (Kathy), David A. Bendt (Sallie), all of Charleston, SC; grandchildren, Melissa B. Ainsworth (Steve) of Knoxville, TN, Allison B. Hodge (Gary) of Charleston, SC, Brian A. Bendt (Samantha) of Rock Hill, SC, Brett A. Bendt (Chelsea) of Cainhoy, SC, and Brittany A. Bendt of Charleston, SC; great-grandchildren, Alarie Hodge, Eliza Ainsworth, Jacob Bendt, Lilly Hodge, William Ainsworth, Amelia Ainsworth, Alex Bendt, Harrison Hodge, Brett Bendt II, and Perry Bendt.

The family thanks the Veterans Victory House in Walterboro, SC, particularly the staff on the Curry wing, and Patriot’s Hospice for their care and friendship during the past two years.

Flowers may be sent or memorials to Blessed Sacrament Catholic School (marked for the Father McCarthy Catholic Education Fund), 7 Saint Teresa Drive, Charleston, SC 29407, will be appreciated.

Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. (843) 766-1365.