William Bard Tafel Sr.

He was a son of the late Dr. Ralph Edward Tafel and the late Donna Elizabeth Bard Tafel of Pittsburgh. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Ralph Edward “Ted” Tafel and Paul Irwin Tafel. Surviving are his wife of 28 years, Becky Pitts Tafel; children, Billy Tafel, Heather Parker (Scott), Rebekah Alden (Todd), Jennifer Tafel (Jay Welborn), Thomas Tafel (Anne Griffin), Nicklos Tafel, Derek Hall, Jamie Bagley (Jacob) and Edward Tafel, and seven grandchildren.

Bill grew up in Pittsburgh where he attended Shady Side Academy. He then earned his BA degree at the University of Pittsburgh, a master’s degree in education from Duquesne University and a Master of Divinity from Wycliffe College and the University of Toronto, ordained in 1972. He was an educator at Avalon Junior and Senior High School in Pittsburgh where he taught history, algebra, physics, French and general science, and coached track. He was Camp Director at Sheldon Calvary Camp, Conneaut, Ohio. He served as parish minister at St. Francis Church in Somerset, Pa., and Rector at St. Mark’s Episcopal, Johnstown, Pa., and St. Timothy’s Episcopal, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as well as St. John’s, Congaree, Episcopal Church in Hopkins, S.C. He served as Chaplain at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School for a brief time.

He was employed over time by The Fuller Brush Company, Novar Electronics, Executive Leasing, Acceptance Leasing, Safeguard Security Systems, Atlas Funding Group and Fischer-Anderson. He was a car salesman at Dorsey-Horton and Lexus, both of Columbia. He co-owned “Real Pit B-B-Q” and served as S.C. Director of The National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

He was co-owner of The Piano Barn of Elgin, S.C., for 26 years where he taught guitar lessons and restored pianos for resale. He wrote articles for The Elgin News Newspaper for many years. He served his community as Director of The Elgin Community Center implementing an after-school program for “at-risk” children and served as assistant to the Director of Highway Church Choir Camp for many summers. He was named Elgin Citizen of the Year in 2009. Through the priesthood he counseled families, troubled youth, abused and neglected children and battered women. He founded and fully managed the Community of H.O.P.E. Food Bank for 12 years. He was an active member of IMPACT of Kershaw County for many years and volunteered at local schools. He was a member of the Human Relations Committee of Kershaw County. He spent time during the holidays serving the homeless through the Salvation Army of Columbia and “rang the bell” at local retail stores.

Bill was an avid musician playing guitar, harmonica, banjo and clarinet. He played and sang for local clubs as a young adult. He loved reading and became a published poet. He plowed and tended a vegetable garden every Spring possible. He was an avid fan of the Carolina Gamecocks football and baseball. He loved cooking for his family and dabbling in photography. Bill was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Cross and a member of the Fraternal Order of the Freemasons.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 15, 2022 at The Episcopal Church of the Cross, 7244 Patterson Road, with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow the service in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel is assisting the family.

Memorials may be made to The Community of H.O.P.E. Food Bank, c/o United Way of Kershaw, 110 East Dekalb Street, #1, Camden, SC 29020.

Memories may be shared at www. dunbarfunerals.com.