William "Bill" Westendorff

Bill Westendorff, born in 1940 to Clarence and Marion (Ott) Westendorff, grew up as a true Low Country boy, spending his days fishing, crabbing, and gigging flounder in the marshes around Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina. After graduating from North Charleston High School, he served at Tindel Air Force Base. He married Mary Ann Greiner, and together they had two daughters, Kim and Kris. The family later returned to Charleston, where Bill and his brother John owned and operated the White Horse Inn restaurants in North Charleston, downtown Charleston, and Summerville. They also opened Charlie’s, one of the city’s first discos.

A transformative trip to Durango, Colorado, led Bill and his family to the Animas Valley. There, he sold real estate and opened BW Shay’s restaurant downtown with Paula and Bruce Berg. He owned and operated the Pinewind Mobile Home Park in Hesperus for more than twenty years. Deeply engaged in his community, Bill served as president of the local Realtors association, on the County Planning Commission, and as a candidate for County Commissioner.

After his first marriage ended in the 1990s, Bill discovered the beauty of Baja California, where he spent several months each year camping and fishing, particularly at San Lucas Cove. He later married Julie Holligan in Durango, and they shared a loving and fulfilling life together for twenty-three years, enjoying horses in the San Juans, fishing in Baja, and traveling. In recent years, Bill and Julie moved back to Charleston so he could spend his final days “back home.”

Bill passed peacefully at home with Julie and his dog by his side. He often reflected on a good life, cherishing memories of the beaches and marshes, fishing the 110, sharing fresh fish and crabs with friends and family. He is survived by his wife Julie; siblings John (Melva) Westendorff of North Charleston and Patty (Don) Damewood of Wando, South Carolina; daughters Kim Stewart and Kris (Matt) Coleman; grandchildren Cristin and Ryan Pivonka, Trevon Stewart, Dillon and Conner (Lauren) Coleman; four great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Clarence Jr., David, Edward, and Eleanor Westendorff.