Jessie Kreidler Obituary

Jessie Bell Kreidler, 99, of Charleston and Myrtle Beach, passed peacefully into eternal rest on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at Wellmore of Daniel Island.

She was born to the late Perry and Bessie Bell, December 28, 1926, in Loris, SC. She graduated from high school in Loris and then attended the University of South Carolina in Columbia. In 1944, she married Willard "Bill" Kreidler, Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces, of Tilden, NE, her wartime love and husband of 65 years.

While awaiting the return of Bill from WWII, Jessie moved to New York City and worked at Macy's department store using her southern charm to excel. After the war, Bill and Jessie returned to Horry County where, for a time, they worked and lived in the Ocean Forest Hotel, along with infant son Bruce. They then moved to Lumberton, NC, where her second child, Kay Leigh, was born.

The Air Force recalled Bill during the Korean conflict and the next major chapter of Jessie's life began. They were stationed in New Mexico, Germany, Bermuda, and twice South Carolina. Jessie was an effervescent and charming hostess when she was not terrorizing the German countryside in her 1955 Austin Healey. One of Bruce's Citadel classmates described her as the epitome of the perfect Air Force officer's wife.

Upon Bill's retirement from the Air Force in 1969, Bill and Jessie relocated to Myrtle Beach where they were the owners, developers, and operators of the Bar Harbor Motor Inn until 2004. She enjoyed weekends at their cottage (later house) on the Intra Coastal Waterway including both long and short cruises on their yacht Scattercat.

After Bill's passing in 2010, Jessie continued living independently and socializing with her friends until 2017 when, at her age of 90, Bruce commandeered the car keys, and she moved into assisted living at Brightwater in Myrtle Beach. She moved to Charleston a year later when Wellmore of Daniel Island opened.

Jessie was preceded in death by her parents Perry and Bessie; husband Bill; daughter Kay Loftus; and her adult siblings, Lloyd Bell, Roscoe Bell, Thelma Hassett, Leneau Bell, and Roger Bell. (Several other siblings did not survive infancy or childhood.) She is survived by son Colonel Bruce Kreidler, USAF Retired, and wife Sharon of Charleston; grandsons Kyle Loftus, Grayson Kreidler and wife Amy, and Keith Loftus and wife Maria; plus, four great-grandchildren, Amylea Kreidler, Ainsley Kreidler, Everly Loftus, and Grayson Kreidler.

Funeral services and entombment will be at 12:00 noon, Monday, March 2,2026 at Southern Palms Memorial Gardens, North Myrtle Beach, with Dr. Jerry Robertson presiding.

The family would appreciate any gifts of remembrance be made to your local hospice.

Jessie Kreidler – an amazing and fun life well lived.

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