Clyde William Fender, Jr.

Clyde William Fender, Jr., age 77, of Bluffton, SC passed away on Thursday, August 31,  2023 at Candler Hospital in Savannah, GA after a brief illness.  He left this world peacefully with his family by his side. Born on June 28, 1946, in Walterboro, SC to the late Clyde William Fender and Merle Dandrige Fender.

After graduating from Bells High School of Ruffin, SC in 1965, he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served as an Infantry Radio Mechanic in the Vietnam War until 1968. During his heroic service, he received the Vietnam Service Medal, two bronze service stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and a National Defense Service Medal.  Upon his return home he worked for 11 years as a Warehouse Operator at Sea Pines Plantation and 28 years as a Carrier for the U.S. Postal Service.  When he retired in 2008, he then became a full time Papa, the one job he was truly born to be.  Outside of a dutiful work life, he was a volunteer fireman on the Pritchardville Fire Department for 10 years, leader in his sons’ Club Scouts and Boy Scouts for 15 years, and assistant coach to their baseball teams for 9 years.  He was a man dedicated to his family and their happiness, taught that family came first, and to always help others. Known to many as Clyde, Junior, Dad, or Papa, he was a stranger to no one and a friend to everyone.  He lived his life to the fullest, encompassed with fun and travel, and centered around family.   His affectionate smile and laughter were infectious, and he will be missed by many. 

He is preceded in death by his siblings Betty Scott, Florence Mason, and Helen Dooley.  Left to cherish his memory is his spouse of 49 years, Carolyn E. Graves Fender, three sons Clayton William (Myrtis), Carey Lawrence, and Casey Eugene, five grandchildren Cameron William, Ethan Clyde, Ansleigh Madison, Jamison Avery, and Aubrey Lorelei, as well as his siblings Mary Caligiuri, John Fender (Teri), Anne Hicks (Billy), Susie Padgett (Roy), Jenny Hoats (Carroll), Mike Fender (Sandy), Barbara Bennett (Donnie), brother-in-law Larry Graves (Susan), sister-in-law Genie Knight (Perry) along with many nieces, nephews, dear friends, and extended family.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church located at 3080 Okatie Highway 170, Okatie, SC 29909.  Family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m., followed by graveside services at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the local humane society or the Alee Shriners Hospital Transportation Fund (Morris Slotin Fund).

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