William George "Bunk" Anderson

Charlotte - Bunk Anderson, 96, passed away on Friday, March 14, 2014 after a short illness. Bunk was born on August 18, 1917 in Charlotte to the late Fred Anderson, Sr. and Alma Whitlock Anderson. He was the beloved husband of the late Maude Smyre Anderson. Bunk is preceded in death by his brother, Fred Anderson, Jr.; his sister, Anne Anderson Bounds; and his son-in-law, Dr. Donald W. Hunt, Sr.

A native Charlottean, Bunk attended Alexander Graham Middle School and spent happy childhood summers at Camp Greenville. He graduated from the former Central High School and completed a post-graduate year at Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon, TN. Bunk attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He pledged the Zeta Psi Fraternity, played on the Freshman Baseball team, and played drums in a jazz band. After graduating in 1940, Bunk was selected to the U.S. Naval Aviation Program. He had fond memories of his flight training at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, FL. Bunk earned the rank of Lt. Commander during WWII and commanded a submarine hunter patrol squadron off the Eastern US Coast. Bunk became the first to fire rockets from planes east of the Mississippi during the war, and his squadron was credited with sinking German U-boats. In 1942, Bunk married Maude Kelly Smyre of Gastonia, and in 1943, his lovely daughter, Susan Kelly, was born.

After the war, Bunk went to work in textiles under Batson Cotton Merchants in Charlotte to learn the trade as a cotton broker and classer. Bunk later went out on his own as the California Cotton (CalCot) representative selling cotton all over the Southeast. In the 1950's, Bunk was asked to join A. M. Smyre Manufacturing in Gastonia as their cotton buyer. For the next 26 years, Bunk classed cotton for Smyre Mills, tinkered in his wood-working shop, and enjoyed his family and grandchildren. Bunk was a member of the Myers Park United Methodist Church, the Charlotte Country Club, and a life-long member of the Navajo Club. He and wife, "Maudie", were, also, active members of the B "n" B Book Club. Bunk was a most devoted husband. He beautifully cared for Maudie during her 14 year battle with Alzhiemer's Syndrome. Bunk never left her side. Upon her passing in 1995, Bunk moved to the Cypress Club of Charlotte. His positive attitude, his friendly demeanor, and his re-connection with the late Eleanore P. Touchberry, his companion of 16 years, set him up for a most joyous chapter of his life.

Lt. Cmdr. William George "Bunk' Anderson will be remembered for his love of a good joke, a good meal, a timely vodka tonic, and his ability to always know someone from your hometown. "People" were Bunk's main hobby. He loved his country, his Tarheels, especially when they beat Duke, and he adored his family. Bunk always had a kind word, and never in his life did he take the Lord's name in vain, something that seems so small yet speaks volumes about a man who was faithful, loyal, and one of God's servants to the end. Bunk Anderson was greatly loved, and he will be deeply missed. In some of his final words Bunk said, "I've always been a low profile man who has lived a charmed life; and I have had the best family and friends any man could want."

Bunk is survived by his daughter, Susan Anderson "Sue" Hunt; his granddaughter, Smyre Anderson Hunt; his grandson, Dr. Donald W. Hunt, Jr. and wife, Vicky, and their children Ryan (4), Donald (3), and Helen (1); his grandson, Clayton Brackett Hunt and wife, Lauren, and sons John-Walker (19) and Anderson (17), all of Greenville, SC.

A service to honor the life of Bunk Anderson will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at Harry & Bryant, "Chapel in the Oaks", 500 Providence Road, Charlotte. A reception for family and friends will follow at 4 o'clock in the Community Hall of the Cypress Club of Charlotte. Burial at Forest Lawn West will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.