Charles Edward Bates

Charles Edward "Punkey" Bates, 81, of Hanahan, SC, husband of Sharon Kilkelly Bates died Friday, November 6, 2015. His Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, November 10, 2015 in Divine Redeemer Catholic Church, 1106 Fort Drive at 10:00 am. Prayers of Final Commendation and Farewell will follow in Eccles United Methodist Churchyard, Huger, SC. The family will receive friends Monday from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm in J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Northwoods Chapel.

"Punkey" was born January 23, 1934 in Charleston, SC, son of the late Edward Dennis "Tootsie" Bates and the late Mary Frances Landreth Bates. "Punkey" loved his country and was a veteran of the US Army. He retired from the Charleston Naval Shipyard and Berkeley County Magistrate's Office. He was a Bailiff with the Berkeley County Courthouse and a Magistrate's Constable for Hanahan and Goose Creek. He was a lifetime member of Hammerton Masonic Lodge #332, and a former member of the York Rites and Omar Shrine Temple. He was past president of the Hanahan Exchange Club and a former advisor for the Salvation Army. He was also an active member of the Senior Citizens of North Charleston Coffee Club and the American Legion Post 166. He was a member of Divine Redeemer Catholic Church where he was an Usher for several years. He was a proud son of Berkeley County and was well known and liked by all who knew him. He was an avid outdoorsman and considered a master hunter by many of his friends. He will be remembered for his infectious laugh and will be missed by family and friends. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the North Charleston Senior Citizens Coffee Club.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sharon Rose Kilkelly Bates; son, Dennis Robert Bates (Karon) of Summerville, SC; three daughters: Kelly A. Bates Eckert (Wayne) of Hanahan, SC, Mary "Beth" Elizabeth Bates-Strauss (James) of Hanahan, SC, Tracy L. Bates Marquis (Michael) of Huntersville, NC; eight Grandchildren: Dereck Bates (Melissa), Kacey Bates Patrick, Christopher Bates (Lauren), Gene Eckert (Ashley), Paige Strauss, Caroline Marquis, Camryn Marquis, Addison Marquis; brother, D. Radford Bates (Barbara) of Moncks Corner, SC; and five great-grandchildren.

Flowers accepted or Memorials may be made to Divine Redeemer Catholic Church, 1106 Fort Drive, Hanahan, SC 29410. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.