Mr. Wade Hampton Oliver

Wade Hampton Oliver, 84, of Columbia, died Sunday, July 5, 2015. Born in Houston, TX on August 30, 1930, he was a son of the late Charles William Oliver, architect of the renowned River Oaks Community in Houston, TX, and Eloise Hampton Oliver, and great grandson of Wade Hampton III. He graduated with a degree in chemical engineering from Texas A&M, where he boxed, earning the San Antonio Golden Glove Award. He obtained his MBA from Harvard Business School. During the Korean War he served as a 1st Lt. in the U.S. Army. An enduring entrepreneur, he founded Hampton Kitchens, the first factory retail kitchen cabinet dealer in SC, in 1970. Jewel Manufacturing and Oliver Enterprises were other successful companies he operated. At the youthful age of 59, Mr. Oliver established Dietary Equipment Company, a kitchen equipment dealer that flourishes today. Mr. Oliver was a member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church where he served as a deacon and an elder. He loved the Lord and had unshakable faith in Christ as his protector and in the good things He had planned for him. Married to Ellen Parr for 55 years, Mr. Oliver loved his family deeply. Whether helping with his children’s sports or being the biggest cheerleader, he set a wonderful example of a dedicated father. As a husband, he adored his wife and penned many love poems to her. They both loved to go to and compete in bridge tournaments together. Optimistic and outgoing, Mr. Oliver will be remembered as our hero. Survivors include daughters, Mary May Oliver Boeckel (Bruce) of Fresno, CA, April Ann Oliver Schulkin (Jay) of San Francisco, CA; son, George Hampton Oliver (Beth) of Columbia, SC; grandchildren, David H. Boeckel, Benjamin G. Boeckel, Danielle A. Schulkin, Nicholas O. Schulkin, Rexroad H. Oliver, Wade S. Oliver and Kate P. Oliver. In addition to his parents, Mr. Oliver was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen Parr May Oliver; son, Wade Hampton Oliver II; sister, Eloise Hampton DuBose; and brother, Charles William Oliver, II. The memorial service for Mr. Oliver will be held 10:30 o’clock, Saturday, July 11th, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, conducted by the Rev. Lynn Grandsire. The family will greet friends following the service in the church parlor. Interment in Elmwood Cemetery will be private. The family will also receive friends at the home of Hampton and Beth Oliver, Friday evening from 5 until 7 o’clock. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family. Memorials may be made to Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Rd, Columbia, SC 29204. The family would like to thank the staff at NHC Parklane for all the loving care he received while there.

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Mr. Wade Hampton Oliver

August 30, 1930 - July 5, 2015