Georgetown: James Benjamin "Bud" Black III was born October 10, 1924 in Mercy Hospital, Charleston, a son of the late James Benjamin "Bennie" Black Jr. and Margaret Moore Black. He grew up in Bamberg, where he attended the Bamberg Public Schools and graduated first in his class from Bamberg High School. Bud graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of South Carolina in 1947. However, as a Junior in Naval ROTC, he was Commissioned as an Ensign in 1944. Bud served in the Pacific, with his longest service being aboard the USS LST 464, with most of his duty being in the Philippines. It was the only ship of its type to be converted to an armed first aid ship. It's character was changed from a fighting ship to a ship of mercy. He ended his WWII service as the ship's commanding officer. Bud then returned to the university and completed his senior year. He and Carolyn Haigler met just before he departed for the South West Pacific in 1944. Following his return to the U.S., they were married on Sept. 7, 1946. During the Korean War, he was recalled as a Lieutenant to serve as an inspector-instructor at the Amphibious Training Center at Little Creek, VA. Following that active duty, he returned to Georgetown and participated in the Naval Reserve Training with the highest position of responsibility being Commanding Officer of Naval Reserve Surface Division 6-38 in Georgetown followed by Commander of Naval Reserve Group Command 6-4, Charleston, which consisted of six units. In 1984, he retired with the rank of Captain. Bud had a long business career with International Paper Co. serving in various Financial Service functions. He worked initially as Payroll Supervisor at the Container Division, Georgetown. After the Korean War he joined the Southern Kraft Division at Georgetown Mill in 1956 and retired in 1985. During these 29 years of service he was assigned to Georgetown Mill, Wood Products Group in Wiggins, MS and Nacogdoches, TX, Texarkana Mill, New York Corporate Office, as Controller of Georgetown. He was involved with Mill Reconfiguration, and then Controller of Pine Bluff, AR Mill Modernization. After retirement, he worked for seven years as a CPA during the Income Tax season in the office of Virgil Winn, CPA. Bud was a very active leader in the Methodist Church in Texarkana, TX, Stamford, CT and Georgetown. He served as Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Lay Leader, Chairman of the Official Board, Chairman of Evangelism Committee, Chairman Committee on Finance, Member of Archives & History Committee, Member of Pastor-Parish Relations Committee, Member of Missions Committee, and Member of the weekly Prayer Group. He was a member of the Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, The United Methodist Men, and the Francis Asbury Class. Bud also served on several District and Conference level Committees. He served as a member of the Bishop's "Task Force Against Legalized Gambling", 1999-2004 Each year the S.C. Methodist Conference presents The Denman Evangelism award to a clergy and to a lay person. In 2001 Bud, who was chairman of Evangelism, was the lay person recipient. He was the Vice Chairman of the Georgetown County Historic Commission which established The Rice Museum in 1970. Bud was President of the Confederation of S.C. Local Historic Societies in 1971. After taking a woodcarving course at John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, N.C. in 1993 Bud lead the establishment of a small group of wood Carvers who became known as the Georgetown Wood Carvers. From 2002 to 2005, he coordinated volunteers of 4 churches who taught English as a Second Language at Howard Adult Center in the winter and at Duncan Methodist Church during the summer. During that time, close to 300 students were exposed to English. He was a member of the Huguenot Society of S.C., the Fontaine /Maury Society, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Navy Club, the Quarter Century Club, the Pine Tree Club, the S.C. Historical Society, and the University of South Caroliniana Society. Bud is survived by: his wife of 68 years, Carolyn Haigler Black of Georgetown. He was predeceased by: his sister, Elizabeth "Betty" Black Capers of Columbia. Survivors include: son, Bryan Anthony Black ( Joni Wix) and their son Hunter Benjamin Black of Columbia; son, Steven Douglas Black of Aiken ( 1st wife: Lynn Anderson Black of Evans, Ga); and their daughter Allison Black Dotson (Joshua), of Gardendale, AL The family will receive friends from 1-2 Friday, December 4 at Duncan Memorial Methodist Church in Georgetown with Funeral Service following at 2 PM. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. Sign a guest book at www.mayerfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be sent to Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, 901 Highmarket St., Georgetown, S. C. 29440-3527 Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Funeral Home: Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home 222 Saint James Street Georgetown, SC US 29440