William Dewey Anderson, Jr.

William Dewey Anderson Jr., 91 of Charleston, South Carolina, passed away on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

Born on June 4, 1933, in Columbia, SC he was the son of Lula Mae Anderson (Porter) and William Dewey Anderson, Sr.

William grew up in Columbia, SC on Blossom Street. He attended Dreher High School. He earned a B.S. in Biology ‘53, an M.S. in Biology ‘55 and a Ph.D. ‘60 from the University of South Carolina.

After graduation he worked as an Assistant Professor at Susquehanna University, as a fishery biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Brunswick, GA), as an Assistant Professor at the University of Florida, as an Associate Professor at the University of Chattanooga, Tennessee and as a Professor at the College of Charleston. He had a long, distinguished career conducting research in systematic ichthyology and the history of natural history. William was instrumental in starting the fish collection at the Grice Marine Lab. He was the primary author of over 90 peer-reviewed publications and co-author of numerous others. He also authored several books. From 1970 to 2017 he described over 30 taxa of fishes.

He received the 2004 Distinguished Alumni Award, College of Science of Mathematics, the University of South Carolina. He was the ASIH recipient of the Robert H. Gibbs, Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence in Systematic Ichthyology in 2022.

William was an avid conservationist, enjoyed Carolina sports and organizing litter pickups. He gave many of his friends and family affectionate and humorous nicknames and he collected a tremendous scientific library.

William is preceded in death by his wife Barbara Sarratt Anderson and his parents William D. Anderson, Sr., Lula Mae Anderson and his sister Sybil Pierman.

William is survived by his son William D. Anderson, III, his daughter Elizabeth S. Anderson and his grandchildren: Rebecca, William, Mary, Robert and Savannah and a great-grandchild, Juliette. He is also survived by cousins Frances, Glenna and Ina and his Pierman nieces/nephews: Put Jr., GJ, Paige, Andy and Dorothy.

Thank you to the care team at NHC Charleston.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Coastal Conservation League - 131 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403. https://www.coastalconservationleague.org/ 

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

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation - James Island, 347 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412, 843-614-8494.