Hammitt Warren Oliver Counts, 76, husband of Mary Dowdle Counts of Columbia, SC passed away Monday, October 3, 2016, at Lexington Medical Center after a battle with lung cancer. He was born in 1940 in Winnsboro, SC to the late Marvin Rice Counts and Katherine Oliver Counts.

Mr. Counts attended Columbia High School before going on to the University of South Carolina and Palmer College where he received a degree in accounting. He practiced accounting for over 50 years, and ran his own tax and accounting firm for the past 27 years. He considered his clients to be among his closest friends.

Oliver was a member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church for over 50 years and the Frank Harden Sunday School Class. He was also active in the Golden K Kiwanis Club and was a faithful Downtown Columbia YMCA member.

He was an avid hiker, enjoyed spending free time working in the yard, loved the outdoors and spent many anniversaries with his wife Mary in Little Switzerland, NC and other parts of the Appalachian Mountains. He cherished spending time with his family; he especially looked forward to holidays and birthdays, and enjoyed many family vacations to the coast of South Carolina. He was a lover of animals – particularly dogs – and adored his Brittany Spaniel, Addie, in addition to the many neighborhood dogs and granddogs that eagerly awaited his generosity with dog treats.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Mary; sons, H. Warren Counts, Jr. (Allison) and Robin Counts; daughter, Cary Counts Beckman (Trey); grandchildren, Jordan Beckman, Rachel Beckman, Lucy Counts, and Bobby Counts; brother, Norman R. Counts (Hilda); sister, Kathy C. Henderson (Jerry); and many loving relatives and friends.

A memorial service for Mr. Counts will be held at 2 o'clock, Friday, October 7th, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends following the service in the church parlor. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

The family would like to thank the staff of Lexington Oncology and Lexington Medical Center for their care of Mr. Counts during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29204, the Downtown YMCA, 1447 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201 or the American Lung Association in South Carolina, 1817 Gadsden Street, Columbia, SC 29201.