William Alexander Brunson, Jr.

William Alexander Brunson, Jr., 94, husband of of Patricia Cadell Brunson, passed away on November 12, 2017, following a tragic car accident that occurred Saturday evening, November 11, 2017. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Brunson, Jr., are invited to his Funeral Service at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, November 21, 2017, at the James A. McAlister Chapel, 1620 Savannah Hwy. Burial will follow at Live Oak Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends between 6:00 and 8:00 PM, Monday evening at the funeral home. William was born on April 14, 1923, in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, to William Alexander Brunson and Emma Ashworth Brunson. He grew up with his 7 brothers and sisters in Pierpont and later on Hibben Street in Mt. Pleasant, where he enjoyed fishing, riding his horse, Pet, and boxing; becoming a Golden Gloves Champion. One of the most influential periods of William’s life was when he entered the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 and was stationed in the South Pacific during World War II. He was a strong swimmer and served as a Navy Commando, completing many rescue missions behind enemy lines. He also met John F. Kennedy on his PT boat during his tenure in the area. In addition, he became a Navy Lightweight Champion Boxer.After returning to Charleston, William owned many various businesses to include a liquor store, feed store, fish market and Brunson’s Pump & Well Service, the latter which he ran for decades. William loved his wife and family and spent much of his time on the water, even building a home on the Stono River, where he was always taking off in his boat heading for his famous fishing spots and returning with coolers stock full of fish. When he wasn’t fishing he was collecting antique cars and driving around Charleston with his wife and little dogs. He loved all his animals – from Suzy the chimpanzee, Willy the baboon (whom he dressed in a space suit to introduce to the family), Skinner the orphaned possum, various raccoons, dogs, etc. He also enjoyed spending time at his farm in Adam’s Run on Penny Creek, where he kept his horses, champion bull and had plenty of alligators in his lake, catching the baby gators so grandkids could hold them.William is survived by his wife, Patricia Cadell Brunson; his children: William A. Brunson III (Bonnie), Delores Lynes, Linda Raymond (Bill Brooks), Bruce Brunson (Remie), Kathleen Hatch, Michael Brunson, and Elaine Mincey Fassuliotis (Dennis). He is also survived by his sister, Emma June Cypress (George); brother, Harry A. Brunson (Irene) and sister-in-law, Norma Brunson. He was preceded in death by brothers, Roy O. Smith, E. Ellis Brunson, Thomas Brunson, Charles E. Brunson and a sister, Elizabeth Howell. He leaves behind numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, as well as his beloved parrot, Buddy and his Pomeranians – Raven & Rosie.William was a legend and will be greatly missed by all.