William Harvey “Pete” Anderson, age 78, passed away Friday, December 24, 2021, at Lake Wylie Assisted Living, Lake Wylie, SC.

Pete was born on February 9, 1943, in Norfolk, Virginia, to the late William Martin and Alta Jane Stoner Anderson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Emily “Kaye” Flukinger Anderson.

He is survived by his daughters Katherine Kaye Crandall (Michael) and Kara Anderson Johnson (Quinn), both of Lake Wylie, SC. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Wells and Cortland Crandall, and Emmery, Banks, and Brooks Johnson, his sister, Jennifer Dylan, and his brother, Joe Anderson. 

Pete can honestly say, “Mankind was my business!”  Jacob Marley says with a sense of regret; Pete can say it with a sense of accomplishment.

Pete was the consummate businessman, and his business was people.

Once Pete and Kaye retired to Edisto Beach, did he stay retired? Of course, not… there’s no retiring from people. He was quickly involved in the community which became his new home. Pete served on Edisto Beach Town Council, Edisto Fire Department First Responder and began a great second career in real estate. 

Man was made in God’s image, and Pete saw God when he saw his fellow man. Thanks to Pete’s godly perspective, we all have been given a chance to see God’s love in action as well. 

“To love another person is to see the face of God.” – Victor Hugo

When Kaye died, it was written that if life was a popularity contest, then Kaye would have arguably been a winner. Upon further review, it appears as though it would have been a tie. Pete, like Kaye, was simply the coolest kid in school - everyone wanted to be with him and be like him. His larger-than-life personality is almost impossible to put into words. Pete never met a stranger. It was magical to watch him walk into a business meeting or a grocery store and have everyone there loving and admiring him within a few minutes. Pete’s poise, confidence, and friendliness would always win the room, but that was never his desire. Pete simply wanted to know everyone. 

Pete enjoyed a number of hobbies throughout his life. On any given day, he could be found golfing, fishing/setting crab traps, or cooking his unparalleled Beaufort Stew. However, these activities were merely a means to a social end - his favorite activity was simply spending time with people, as evidenced by the fact that he would never do these things alone (which, may have been impossible anyway, for a person as well-loved as Pete was always in-demand). 

What a privilege it was to be related to this man! Whereas the rest of the world would love to spend a few hours with him at a dinner or in a leisure activity, Pete’s family was blessed to spend many, many wonderful years with this man who was just as authentically kind at home as he was in public. To have known Pete as a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother, or an uncle is one of the greatest blessings that God gave us, and now we give him back to God and the rest of those who await him in Heaven - his parents and his wonderful wife Kaye. Today, the two coolest kids in school are now reunited in their eternal holy matrimony, and we thank God for the love they showed us on Earth, as well as the love they can now continue showing each other in Heaven. 

 We often use the term “miracle of life” in reference to babies, but those of us who knew Pete saw it firsthand through him. Pete beautifully showed us that one of life’s miracles are the people around us, and he experienced and added to that miracle daily. 

Obituaries are often a time for eloquent remembrance, but that just is not fitting for Pete Anderson. Pete was a straight-talker, and the “talk” that he communicated always carried great value. So, let’s talk straight:

Pete exuded a confidence that allowed him to befriend everyone he met, and he epitomized the idea of having “never met a stranger.”  

Pete loved Jesus.

Pete loved people.

Pete loved experiences.

Pete loved his family!

A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at 3:00 p.m., at Cultivate Church, Red Fez Shrine Club, 16600 Red Fez Road, Charlotte, North Carolina. A reception will follow the service at the Red Fez Shrine Club from 4:00-7:00 p.m.  The service will be live streamed on Cultivate Church’s Facebook page and available for viewing via YouTube as of Dec. 30, 2021.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials be made to Cultivate Church Legacy Fund, 5580 Hwy. 557 (Ste. 101-k), Clover, SC  29710, or to the Edisto Beach Fire Department, 2413 Murray Street, Edisto Island, SC  29438.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.