Obituary of James William Hendrix

WEST COLUMBIA-James William "J.W." Hendrix, 92, owner of Hendrix Red and White Grocery and Hardware Store and Hendrix Properties passed away Sunday afternoon, December 1, 2013 at the Lexington County Hospital. Born on October 25, 1921 in West Columbia, he was the oldest son of the late James Elliott Hendrix and Lizzie Lown Hendrix. He was a life time member of Mt. Hebron United Methodist Church in West Columbia. He was a graduate of the Class of 1938 from Brookland-Cayce High School (where he was voted Most Handsome in his senior class). After high school, J.W. went to work for Williams Food Brokers in Columbia. At the beginning of World War II in 1942, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served as an Aviation Radio Technician until 1946. J.W. began his business career after World War II. He bought and operated several groceries stores in the Columbia and West Columbia area. One of the stores that had the most impact on the community for 50 years was the Hendrix Red and White Grocery and Hardware (the old Hook's Store) in the forks of the road in West Columbia. You could buy gas, groceries, hardware, ride Sandy for 10 cent, and catch up with the latest developments and news as you drank your bottled coke with peanuts. As a business leader, J.W. was instrumental along with others in founding the state wide Food Retailers Association, a network of local grocers striving for better quality standards and service. J.W. was elected to Lexington County Council in the late seventies and served on the COATS Committee and West Columbia Zoning Board for several years. He helped organized the still active Hooks Store precinct. In addition, he served on numerous committees at Mt. Hebron United Methodist Church; he was a Charter member of Pineview Ruritan Club (60 years), Toastmasters International, American Legion, and the Lexington County Republican Party. J.W. was an avid musician, playing the guitar (his mom taught him) and both acoustic and electric bass. While in the US Navy, he was in a band that played in the Cow Place in San Francisco and other venues across the many bases that he was stationed. One of his favorite places to be on Friday nights was Bill's Picking Parlor. He enjoyed playing there and listening to the music. Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Berdie Goodwin Hendrix; daughter, Jan C. Sharp (Bobby); sister, Marjorie Hendrix Wingard; brother, Clifford O. Hendrix (Jean); Gary W. Taylor (Yvonne) J. W.'s right hand man for 46 years; sister-in-law Grace Bush Hendrix; grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brother, Herbert Durham Hendrix; sister, Vivian Hendrix Senn; brother-in-laws Woodrow G. "Tip" Senn and Judson Wingard. Visitation will be 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on December 3, 2013 at Thompson Funeral Home in Lexington. The Service will be held on December 4, 2013 at 3:30 pm at Mt. Hebron United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers are members of the Wesley Fellowship Class and the Pineview Ruritan Club. The family would like to extend their gratitude to Angela Pinkard and Shantell Davis, the caregivers, for their care, kindness, and understanding they showed towards J.W. for the past several months. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Conerstone Project Campaign at Mt. Hebron United Methodist Church, 3050 Leaphart Road, West Columbia, SC 29169.