Walter Shell Suber, Jr., 88, of Columbia, died on Monday, May 8, 2023. Born in Whitmire, SC, on January 4, 1935, he was a son of the late Walter Shell Suber and Margaret Martin Suber. Mr. Suber graduated from Whitmire High School in 1953, University of South Carolina in 1957 (Sigma Alpha Epsilon) and University of South Carolina School of Law in 1959. Following completion of his education, he served in the US Air Force, Active Duty from 1959-1961, and later in the Reserves JAG Corps where he ultimately retired at Colonel.

Mr. Suber's career practicing law in Columbia spanned 53 years with Graydon and Suber. He also served as adjunct professor of real estate law at the University of South Carolina. In honor of his 50 years of service for the practice of law, he was inducted into the SC Bar Nifty Fifty in 2010. While practicing law was his profession, public service was his passion. Having been elected to 12 consecutive terms, he served on Forest Acres City Council for 47 years, serving two terms as Mayor Pro Tem. In addition, he was a member of First Presbyterian Church, the Richland County Sertoma Club (Sportsorama chairman), Executive Club, belonged to the Military Order of World Wars ,and was a Scoutmaster. Additionally, he was a member of the Richland County Forest Landowners Association (past president) and was a Master Tree Farmer.

Shell Suber was a quick-witted lawyer, an avid runner, outdoorsman, farmer, gardener and collector of junk. He never passed a pile of garbage without giving it a thorough inspection. If you ever threw away an old grill, broken appliance or cracked toilet, rest assured it remains inoperable and is safely stored at his Richland County farm. He loved his friends, family, nieces and nephews and their children and his hometown of Whitmire. He ranked among the most pessimistic of Gamecock fans, and they never let him down. He never told a joke that he didn't find hilarious.

Survivors include his loving and devoted companion, Nancy Louise Smith; sons, Walter Shell Suber III (Jennifer Claps Suber) and James Whitmire Suber (Nancy Alcorn Suber); and grandchildren, Sarah Reynolds Suber, Abigail Brescia Suber, Lydia Hatton Suber, James Whitmire Suber, Jr. and Walter Shell Suber IV. In addition to his parents and sisters (Margaret Price and Rankin Craig), he was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Jones Suber.

The service for Mr. Suber will be held at 11:00am, Monday May 15th, at First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia, with the Rev. David H. Lauten officiating. The family will receive friends in Jackson Hall following the service and brief churchyard committal. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

Family will also receive friends for a casual gathering on Sunday, May 14th, 5:00 – 8:00pm, at train cars at Lot D at Williams-Brice Stadium (1042 Key Rd. Park and enter at Lot D). 803-518-3888

Memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church.