Walter Withers

Walter Holmes Withers, Jr. (Buzz) of Orange Park, Florida entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, May 5, 2011 in Charleston, South Carolina following a short illness. 

Buzz was born on August 8, 1938 to the late Walter Holmes and Mary L. Withers of Winchester, Virginia.  He grew up in Waynesboro, Virginia and following his high school completion attended Augusta Military Academy for one year.  He flew with the United States Navy's Combat Information Center until 1960 and was an aviation structural and hydraulics mechanic when not in flight. When in the air he operated radar for his Squadron whose missions were to act as early warning in the Atlantic Fleet. Following an honorable discharge, he worked as a home and commercial construction production manager with Crown Corporation of Charlottesville, Virginia for eight years.  In 1968 as a licensed contractor, he began his own business, W. H. Withers Construction Company but in 1979, during an economic crisis he moved his business near Charleston, South Carolina and established Withers Industries, a millwork production company which continues today.  "Mr. Bob Villa" of "This Old House" filmed a show about the Withers Industries' shutter manufacturing process and it is aired on PBS periodically.  Buzz's remarkable craftsmanship has been appreciated all along the East Coast and as far as the Caribbean Islands. His personal interests included boating, traveling with the "Honor Air" as a sponsor for World War II veterans, and his affiliation as a 4^th Degree with the Knights of Columbus of St. Luke's Catholic Church in Middleburg, Florida.

Mr. Withers is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ardra M. Withers; four children, Walter Patrick Withers of Charleston, South Carolina, Harry Randolph Withers of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, Paula Withers Werner of Florence, South Carolina and Robert Lee Withers of Georgetown, South Carolina; thirteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He is also survived by his only sibling, Dorothy Withers Stacks of Huntington, West Virginia. 

The relatives and friends of Walter "Buzz" Withers are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, May 9, 2011 in Stella Maris Catholic Church on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina at 11:00 a.m.  The Prayers of Final Commendation and Farewell will follow in Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens.  A wake will be held on Sunday, May 8, 2011 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the J. HENRY STUHR MOUNT PLEASANT CHAPEL, 1494 Mathis Ferry Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC.

In lieu of flowers a charity remembrance may be given to The Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary for the poor and sick, 741 Polo Road, Bryn Mawr, PA  19010-3825.