Arthur Manley Cramer

Arthur Cramer of Bluffton, SC died on March 10 surrounded by family, stories, and song. He was 78 years old. Born on November 4, 1942 in Savannah, GA, Arthur graduated from Jenkins High School and joined the Army National Guard serving for 12 years. He began working in the electrical trade in the late 1950s later launching his own business, and finally retiring after five decades of hard work. If you have ever flipped a light switch on Hilton Head Island, it was probably wired by Arthur Cramer.

Arthur loved the water and raised his young family a block from Hilton Head’s Folly Field Beach, eventually moving to Palmetto Bluff Road to a beautiful spot on the headwaters of the May River. He could often be found on his dock or flounder gigging with his brothers and friends.

In 1978, Arthur was on the board of the original fire commission that started the Bluffton Township Fire District, where two of his sons have served since 1995 for a combined 49 years.

Arthur was preceded in death by his parents, Martha and William Heidt Cramer, Jr., and his brother William, III “Billy.” He is survived by his large family who loved him very much: his wife of 39 years, Deanna Cramer; his four sons and one daughter: Allen (Courtney) Cramer, Edwin (Schelynn) Lewis, Rick (Susan) Cramer, Eric Lewis, and Lori Lewis who adored and admired him. He was tough but fair and not afraid to dole out the punishments leading his sons’ high school friends to dub their house “The Cramer Correctional Institute.”

27 years ago, Arthur took on a most important role, “Papa.”  He doted on his grandchildren Aron (Ashley) Lewis, Ryan Cramer, Haley (Kevin) Morris, Nicholas Lewis, Erica Lewis, Megan Cramer, and Tristan Lewis. His great-granddaughter Analyn Morris got quite a kick out of “Papa” and loved to share an ice cream cone with him. He is also survived by three siblings, Catherine Hitt, Dan (Carol) Cramer, Jerry (Marie) Cramer, many nieces and nephews and friends.

His heart was huge. He batted lefty at half-rubber (if you know, you know). He knew no stranger and loved to tell a story – so enthusiastically that sometimes it was hard to get him to stop. His rich Southern drawl was engaging, and you never had to guess what he was thinking. He will be sorely missed by his beloved friends and family.

We wish Heaven were closer.

A celebration of Arthur’s life will be held at Sauls Funeral Home Pavilion, 90 Simmonsville Road, Bluffton, on Saturday March 13, 2021. Visitation from 1 – 3 p.m. Memorial service at 3 p.m. Burial to follow at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Cemetery, 3080 Okatie Highway, Bluffton. For everyone’s safety, the family appreciates that masks be worn.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Family Promise, 181 Bluffton Rd, Building D101 Bluffton, SC 29910.

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