Bennie Platt

1935 - 2023

Bennie Platt
August 1, 2023
North Myrtle Beach , South Carolina - Bennie Albert Platt passed away at home on August 1, 2023 surrounded by his family in North Myrtle Beach, SC. He was born on March 7, 1935 in the Platt Town section of Brooksville to Henry Clyde "HC" Platt and Addie Phelps Platt.
He grew up working on the family farm and was known to pull an occasional tobacco leaf. Bennie was indoctrinated at an early age into the family construction business. He was a 3rd generation builder/contractor and left a legacy of design and building throughout the area. His influence stretched from Lumberton/Sunset Beach in NC to Pawleys Island and west to Columbia in SC. In 1966, he took over the family construction business and consolidated everything into a newly formed corporation to be known as H.C. Platt & Son, Inc. He built a new construction office in 1968 along US 17 in North Myrtle Beach from its previous location on Main Street in Ocean Drive Beach. This building was the first commercial structure built along US 17 after the four beach towns consolidated into the City of North Myrtle Beach.
After graduating from Wampee High School in 1953, he took his love of design and building to Clemson in 1954 where he studied Architecture. Bennie was a member of the elite Pershing Rifles during his freshman and sophomore years and traveled up and down the east coast performing at different events most notably Yankee Stadium in 1955. During his first two years, Clemson was an all-male military college.
He was a member of the Air Force ROTC and eventually joined the Air National Guard. He served in the Air Force Reserves (Air National Guard) until 1965 to include active duty overseas during the Berlin crisis, where upon return he was the recipient of the SC Exceptional Service Medal.
Bennie designed and built over 1,000 custom homes during his 50 year career. In addition, he also designed and built commercial properties to include general and medical office buildings, condominiums, multi-family projects and motels. Many of these structures are still standing to this day.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nancy Jackson Platt. They were married in 1963 at the Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church in Ocean Drive Beach. Bennie is also survived by his children, Christopher Brent Platt (Kristy), Lauren Platt Gerland (Dean), Hunter C. Platt (Susan) and Heath C. Platt (Diane). He is survived by his grandchildren, Taylor Nicole Gerland, Ramsey L. Platt, Carson Brady Platt, Ashley Bast Anderson and Mitchell Akel Bast.
Bennie is predeceased by his parents as well as his two sisters, Rosa Platt Bryant of High Point, NC and Addie Platt Bell of Greenville, SC. He is survived by Betty Platt Tyson of Greer, SC (sister). He is survived by his nieces and nephews, Nancy Bell Voit, Karol Bryant Murks, Suzann Bryant Hedgecock, Teri Tyson Rushing, William Bryan Tyson III, John "Jack" Douglas Bell, Stephen Pierce Jackson and David Mathew Jackson. Bennie is predeceased by his nephew James "Tripp" Blakeney Jackson, III.
Bennie was a long-time member of the Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church where he served as an usher, deacon, and chair of the building committee for Gwynn Fellowship Hall. As a young man, he helped his father build the original church sanctuary. At that time, it was the only church in the area with a view of the Atlantic Ocean. He was a member of the Lions Club as well as a longtime serving member of the Horry County Tax Appeal Board. Bennie had a love for his alma mater, Clemson University, and its athletic programs. He joined IPTAY as a student and was a loyal member for 64 years. Bennie was a football season ticket holder for 59 years sitting originally on wooden bleachers in Memorial Stadium known as Death Valley.
Bennie always liked to remind others; 1) Where the Blue Ridge yawns its greatness, 2) Where the Tigers Play; Here the sons of dear Old Clemson, reign supreme alway, 3) Dear Old Clemson, we will triumph And with all our might that the Tiger's roar may echo O'er the Mountain height. GO TIGERS!
A visitation will be held from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Lee Funeral Home and Crematory in Little River, SC on Friday, August 11, 2023. A private inurnment will be held at North Myrtle Beach Memorial Gardens with military honors. Services will be conducted by Reverend Mack Hutson. The family would like to sincerely thank the team from MSA Hospice for their compassion and care.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leefhandcrematory.com for the Platt family. Lee Funeral Home and Crematory of Little River is serving the family.