Rev. William "Bill" Henderson Tanner, Jr.

Rev. William “Bill” Henderson Tanner, Jr., 84, of Charleston, South Carolina, passed away on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on December 13, 1940, in Hemmingway, SC, Bill was the son of the late Frances Huggins Tanner and the late Willie H. Tanner.

Bill served four and a half years in the United States Navy. He joined Navelex where he worked as an Electrical Engineer. While employed with Navelex he served his country as a counterintelligence double agent, working with the FBI and NIS. His work as a double agent led to the capture of an East German spy, which triggered the largest East/West spy swap in the post war history. He received the Order of The Palmetto Award, Lou Peters Award, among numerous others for his service to his country.

Bill served 31 years in Kairos Prison Ministry. After retiring from civil service, he attended Duke Seminary School and became the pastor of New Hope United Methodist Church in Jedburg, SC, Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Moncks Corner, and Hoods Chapel United Methodist Church in Macedonia, SC.

Bill loved family gatherings and was an avid sports fan and loved to play golf.

In addition to his parents, Bill is preceded in death by his brother Benjamin C. Tanner and sister, Janet Tanner McMillian.

Bill is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley Mercer Tanner; son, William “Billy” H. Tanner, III (Michelle); daughter, Sherri Tanner Jones (Brian);granddaughter, Madison Jones Ross (Brian); grandson, Matthew Henderson Tanner (Maddie); two great grandsons, Walker Jones Ross and Grady James Ross; brother, Guerry Ryan Tanner; two nephews; and his beloved dog, Brandy.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 5:00-7:00pm at McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414.

The funeral service will be on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 2:00pm at Coastal Community Church, 460 Arlington Drive, Charleston, SC 29414. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 604 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kairos Prison Ministry of South Carolina, PO BOX 22421, Hilton Head Island, SC 29925.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414, (843) 722-8371.