Charles Bauknight, Jr.

1959 ~ 2025
HIGHLANDS - Charles William "Bill" Bauknight, Jr., 66, passed away Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, of natural causes.
Bill was a complicated man who struggled with bipolar disorder for most of his life. He had difficulty with social interactions due to ongoing paranoia. Those who got to know Bill knew he was brilliant, kind, generous, artistic and sensitive, with a wonderful sense of humor.
Bill was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Charlie and Jody Bauknight. The family, including sister Johannah, settled in Anderson, South Carolina with a summer home in Highlands.
Bill moved to Highlands full-time in 2020, fulfilling a dream he'd had since his teen years. In Oct. of 2020, Bill opened the door for Holly, the "mail lady," and was instantly smitten with her. They were married in Oct. 2022, two years after their first date.
Education was important to Bill. He graduated from the McCallie School in 1977. He attended both Princeton and Furman, then received his A.B. in chemistry from Duke University. Bill became a lifelong Duke basketball fan there. He earned his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Clemson University in 1987, with a 4.0 GPA. His special interest was Organofluorine Chemistry.
Bill performed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Iowa (1987-1989). He went on to become an Assistant Professor of Organic Chemistry at Towson University, and then a visiting Assistant Professor at Clemson for a number of years.
Bill was a tennis player and a long-distance runner. His favorite race was the Shut-In Ridge Trail Run in Asheville.
Writing was another beloved hobby. Bill wrote educational manuals for beginner and intermediate bridge players. He gave them away for free to anyone who wanted them. He also filled countless notebooks with journals and short stories.
Bill created many art projects. He dabbled in calligraphy, oil pastels, markers and colored pencils. He made many abstract geometric works of art. They were mostly for his own enjoyment, but he gave away many of them. His most famous "masterpiece" was a paper-mâché sculpture of Johnny Unitas, made in the fifth grade.
Bill had a passion for the game of bridge. Duplicate bridge was the perfect outlet for him to participate in a social setting, and to challenge his sharp mind. Bill was a brilliant bridge player. He earned the Rookie of the Year Award, Unit 160, SC in 1996. Bill's favorite partner was his father. They travelled everywhere, competing together for many years. Bill achieved the rank of Life Master in 2001. Even though he was homebound and in ill health, Bill was able to play bridge online in his last two years. He earned his Gold Life Master ranking in May of 2025. He was thrilled when Holly finally allowed him to begin teaching her the game in 2024 after she retired from the post office.
A private celebration of life will be held by the family at a later date.
Online condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com.