Gaillard Dotterer Obituary

Gaillard Townsend Dotterer WADMALAW ISLAND - Gaillard Townsend Dotterer died peacefully on May 4, 2021, at his home on Brigger Hill on Wadmalaw Island. He was born in Charleston on February 14, 1937 to Edwin Gaillard Dotterer and Mary Leslie Townsend Dotterer. He started his education at Mrs. Watt's School and then The Gaud School for Boys. His parents thought it would be a good idea for Gilly to gain exposure to life outside of Charleston, but they learned that you can take the boy out of the Lowcountry, but not the Lowcountry out of the boy. Thus he spent time at The Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA, and Christ School in Arden, NC; but the pull was too strong, and he came home to finish at Charleston High School. Now home, Gilly and his friends found speckled trout drops in Charleston Harbor for every stage of the tide and would sell their catch for spending money. After some time at Clemson University, he returned to Charleston after the sudden death of his father. He was drafted into The Army and spent time at Ft. Eustis, VA, and later was recalled to service during the Berlin Wall Crisis. Like most young men from Charleston, he relished time spent with friends and family around the woods and waters of the Lowcountry. He had the best of both worlds growing up in the city and moving down to his family's place near the village of Rockville on Brigger Hill during the summers. He spent his time in the creeks and marshes learning from his father and Townsend Uncles. He learned to sail and captained the Undine for the Sea Island Yacht Club in many of the regional regattas. Later he explored the watery part of the world and participated in ocean racing as part of the Southern Ocean Racing Conference (SORC), sailing the waters between Charleston and Miami. Given his enthusiasm for sailing, he was elected commodore of the Carolina Yacht Club and the Sea Island Yacht Club. His career included stints with Prudential Life, Johnson Lane, and Colonial Life. For a period he put the corporate world on hold, bought a shrimp boat, and went to work on the water. During the summer, his sons would work as crew members. Gilly had a very large personality with a wonderful sense of humor. He was loved by all walks of life from the corporate world to the shrimping community. He once had the CEO of Wachovia Corporation walking barefoot through the woods in pursuit of wild turkeys! His last work experience was his most enjoyable as he helped his son, Gilly, establish an independent insurance agency called Dotterer Insurance. Another favorite pastime was hunting with his friends and family, and he was a member of a group of men who called themselves The Sportsmen. They mostly congregated at Lavington in Colleton County for hunting and comradery. He is the last of the original members of The Sportsmen and will no doubt be joining them in the happy hunting grounds. With three long blows of the horn, the hunt is over, the day is done, and earthly time is spent. He really enjoyed introducing his children, grandchildren, and other young people to the great outdoors. Later in life he fought and overcame a struggle with addiction, and for 30 years he used his knowledge and experience to help others in their fight. Helping others was a source of great satisfaction for him. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Barbara Stafford Dotterer, whom he absolutely adored. They had many adventures and good times mostly around Wadmalaw with their close group of friends and family. He is survived by two sons, Gaillard Townsend Dotterer, Jr. (Retta) of Mt. Pleasant and William Moultrie Dotterer (Betsy) of Richmond, VA, by his first wife, Elizabeth Rembert Lacey of Charleston. Through Barbara he was blessed with a third son, Thomas Stafford Graham, of Statesboro, GA, who he introduced to all of his passions and zest for life. He is also survived by his sister, Leslie Townsend Dotterer Rutledge (Don), and his mother-in-law, Elizabeth Nutt Stafford; as well as his five grandchildren: Gaillard Townsend Dotterer III (Madelon) of Charleston, Frederick Willcox Dotterer of Georgetown, Sara Riley Dotterer of Austin Texas, Henrietta Nelson Dotterer of Charleston, and Elizabeth Townsend Dotterer of Richmond, VA. Also, his niece, Doesy Dickinson and his nephew, Middleton Rutledge (Brandi). The family would like to thank Virginia C. Maybank of Lutheran Hospice for her invaluable assistance in comforting the family. The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 9th between 5 and 7 pm at 347 Seewee Circle in Mt. Pleasant.The funeral will be held at 1:30 pm on Monday, May 10th at Grace Church Cathedral on 98 Wentworth Street. Afterwards, there will be private burial at Johns Island Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Grace Church Cathedral, Lowcountry Land Trust, or the charity of your choice. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston