Saunders Bridges Obituary

Saunders M. Bridges FLORENCE, SC - Saunders McKenzie Bridges, died on January 28, 2018, in Florence after a long illness. Mr. Bridges was born on December 4, 1924, to Leila Mai McKenzie Bridges and William Marshall Bridges, both of Florence. He was predeceased by his wife, Elsie Price Bridges; his parents; his sister, Mai Mac Bridges; and his brother William Marshall Bridges, Jr. He is survived by his children: daughter Julianne B. Dias of Lynchburg, Virginia; son Saunders M. Bridges, Jr. (Angelyn), of Florence; daughter Marshall Bridges of Florence; 5 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; a nephew William Marshall Bridges, III (Kathy); and a niece, Mary Neale Fowler (Brett). Known to his friends since childhood as "Baggy," Mr. Bridges graduated from Florence High School in 1942 and attended the Citadel until enlisting in the United States Army. He led a rifle platoon as a 2nd Lieutenant until wounded while on the verge of entering Germany in the immediate aftermath of the Battle of the Bulge. For actions during World War II, he was awarded a Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and a Purple Heart. He was recalled to the U. S. Army for the Korean Conflict, and served in Korea as a Captain in the Judge Advocate General's Corp. Following World War II Mr. Bridges attended the University of South Carolina School of Law where he served as editor-in-chief of the South Carolina Law Quarterly, and was a member of the Order of Wig and Robe and Omicron Delta Kappa. He then joined his father in the practice of law in Florence. During his many years of practicing in Florence, he served in many positions, including as president of the South Carolina Bar Association, the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association and the Florence County Bar. He served on the Board of Governors of the South Carolina Bar on two different occasions, and received many awards from his peers. Among those awards are the Ralph King Anderson, Jr. Award from the Florence County Bar Association, the Robert W. Hemphill Award from the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association, and the Worthy Adversary Award by the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association. He especially cherished having been elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Mr. Bridges served his community in many capacities. He was a Trustee of Florence School District I for thirteen years. He was local President and National Director for the Junior Chamber of Commerce. In his early years he was an active member and President of Florence Lions Club, and a Sunday School teacher for the Florence Fire Department at the Central Fire Station. He was a founder and charter Commander of the Swamp Fox Power Squadron of the United States Power Squadron. He served the American Red Cross as a water safety instructor, instructor trainer and water safety consultant for twenty-three years. The community service of which he was most proud was his many years as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 478, during which time he also served as Scoutmaster of several international troops, representing the United States at the Pan-American Jamboree in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and international jamborees in England and the United States. He also served as President of the Pee Dee Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, by which he was awarded the Silver Beaver award and the Vigil Honor of the Order of the Arrow. Among his fondest memories were those of the countless young men who passed through his troop. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 1, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel at Methodist Manor of the Pee Dee, 2100 Twin Church Road, Florence, SC, directed by Waters-Powell Funeral Home. The family will greet friends after the service. In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to consider donations to the Employee Christmas Fund of Methodist Manor; the McLeod Health Foundation, Post Office Box 100551, Florence, SC 29502-0551; or the Pee Dee Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, 702 South Coit Street, Florence, SC 29501. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston