Paul Bodie

Believer in Jesus Christ, Avid Lutheran, Family Man, Grandfather, Extremely talented musician, Drummer, Pianist, Gentle Soul, Gardener, Generous, Genuinely loved people, Beloved band director, Music Teacher who followed his students for years.

Born May 17, 1932, to the parents of Benjamin Tillman and Francis Price Bodie, Paul grew up in a loving family in the Eau Claire Community. His early years were filled with music lessons, beginning with classical piano at age 3, and percussion at age 6. Along with music lessons, his boyhood years were filled with his lifelong love for fishing, and working in his grandfather's store, P C Price & Co.

Paul had the unique honor of being the very first graduate at the new Eau Claire High School. Needing one class to graduate, he transferred from Columbia High and took the class in the summer to graduate August 1950.

He spent his college years at Lenoir Rhyne College in NC, where he played in a Jazz Group called the Kampus Kats, that played at various dinner clubs around western NC.

After earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music, Paul attended Graduate School at Peabody School of Music in Nashville TN. He received a master's in music, and met his lifelong partner Martha Nell Golden. Paul and Martha were married August 12, 1956, and began their life's journey together.

During his career as a Band Director, Paul taught at Lower Richland High, Dreher High, Hand Middle, Alcorn Middle, Gibbes Middle, Olympia Middle, as well as percussion classes at Columbia College. As jazz was his passion, he always found a way to bring the culture of jazz into the programs in which he taught, by starting jazz groups in the schools.

Family life for Paul centered around his wife Martha, his children Ben and Catherine, and his 3 grandchildren... John Peebles and wife Ruthann, Sarah Bodie, and Will Peebles. He passed on his love for fishing, his love for music, and spent as much time as he and Martha could influencing them as they grew.

In later years, when Martha got sick, Paul became her caregiver and rearranged their home so Martha would be comfortable. He kept her at home with the assistance of Right At Home Nursing, until they moved to Laurel Crest towards the end of her life.

After Martha's passing, Paul continued to influence those around him with his talkative nature and putting smiles on faces with his jokes. He was often heard playing the lobby piano in the evenings, as well as playing his snare drum in his room.

The culture of Church, and more importantly a relationship with Jesus Christ, was very important to Paul. He grew up involved in all aspects of the Lutheran church. From early years at Ascension Lutheran, to the later years at Redeemer Lutheran, Paul was a lifelong Lutheran and used his musical talents frequently for special events in the church.

Paul lived a blessed and fulfilled life and passed peacefully in his sleep on April 9, 2025, at the age of 92. He is predeceased by his brother Armand of Greensboro, NC.

The Family extends our deepest gratitude for the love and care that Paul received daily from the wonderful staff at Laurel Crest Assisted Living Facility.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 13, 2025 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, with burial in Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.