Mr. Walter James Bristow Jr.

COLUMBIA - Walter James Bristow, Jr., attorney, former legislator, and retired circuit court judge, died peacefully at his home in Columbia on Saturday, November 30, 2013. Born in Columbia, South Carolina, on October 14, 1924, he was the oldest child of the late Dr. Walter James Bristow, Sr., and Caroline Belser Melton. He attended Columbia city schools, graduating from Dreher High School in 1941. He was enrolled at Virginia Military Institute from 1941 to June 1943, when he, with his entire class, entered active duty in the United States Army. He served in the European theater of World War II as a platoon sergeant of Battery B, 292nd Field Artillery Observation Battalion, receiving stars for the battles of Central Europe and Rhineland. He was decorated with the United States Meritorious Service Medal. Pertinent to his experiences in Germany during the war, he was appointed to The South Carolina Council on the Holocaust in 1994 and served continuously until his death. Following World War II, he continued his military service with the South Carolina Army National Guard, retiring in 1979 as deputy commander of the State Area Command, with the rank of brigadier general. After discharge from the Army, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina, a law degree cum laude from The University of South Carolina School of Law, and a master of laws degree from Harvard University. He was the attorney for the South Carolina Legislative Council, 1956 session of the General Assembly. During their investigation of the general election of 1956, he was Assistant Counsel to the United States Senate Subcommittee on Privileges and Elections in Washington, DC. He was a highly respected attorney in private practice and was a founding partner in the law firm of Marchant, Bristow and Bates in Columbia. Former Senator Bristow's legislative service began in 1956 with election to the South Carolina House. He was subsequently elected to the state Senate in 1958, and served with distinction for eighteen years. As Richland County's senator, he promoted regional and state commerce through his sponsorship of legislation to establish Midlands Technical College, Columbia Metropolitan Airport, and Interstate 77. He furthered cultural enrichment in the midlands through his sponsorship of legislation to establish Historic Columbia Foundation, The South Carolina State Museum, The South Carolina Arts Commission, and The Riverbanks Zoo. Institutions and organizations vital to the health and well-being of those he served, including Richland Memorial Hospital, the Family Court system, the SC Board of Medical Examiners, and The South Carolina Commission for the Blind, were established through his efforts. His extensive involvement with insurance legislation during his tenure in the SC Senate led to his election as national president of the Conference of Insurance Legislators in 1974-75. The first ever Order of the Cypress was presented by Friends of the Congaree Swamp to former Senator Bristow in October 1999. The award recognized his aggressive defense for preservation of the swamp during the Senate debate of April 1976 as he filibustered for three days with courage and conviction. He was elected judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit in 1976. Although retired in 1988, he continued to serve as a visiting judge, eventually holding court in every county of the state. His wife joined him on his circuit and together they enjoyed meeting people throughout South Carolina. For his lifelong commitment to the State, as an attorney, a legislator, and a judge, he was presented South Carolina's highest honor, The Order of the Palmetto, from Governor Jim Hodges. He was known for his intelligence and superb knowledge of the law. He was an avid reader with a personal library of over 5,000 volumes. He enjoyed time spent with friends and family. He and his wife frequently entertained at their home in Columbia and at the family's summer home on Edisto Island. He served as an ex-officio member of the Board of Visitors of The Citadel; commander of the Columbia Chapter of the Military Order of World Wars; secretary-treasurer and vice-president of the South Carolina Bar Association; worthy master of Alpha Tau Omega social fraternity; deacon of First Presbyterian Church; Scoutmaster of Troop 15 of First Presbyterian Church; National Associate of Boys' Clubs of America; member of the American and Federal Bar Associations; American Legion; Wig and Robe honorary society; and Columbia Sertoma Club. He was a member of numerous clubs, including The Columbia Cotillion Club, Forest Lake Club, The Columbia Ball, The Palmetto Club, The Quadrille Club, and the Flamenco Club. He was a member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church. Judge Bristow is survived by his wife of 61 years, Katherine Stewart Mullins Bristow, his son Walter James Bristow III, MD (Anne) and his grandchildren Abbot Land Bristow, Katherine Stewart B. Patrick, MD (Richard), Walter James Bristow IV, and William Melton Bristow II. He is also survived by his sister Caroline Melton Bristow Marchant (wife of the late General T. Eston Marchant, Jr) of Columbia, and his brother William Melton Bristow, MD, of San Diego, CA. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Katherine Mullins Bristow. Friends are invited to call at the home of his son, at 1301 Greenhill Road, on Monday evening from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC, followed by interment at Elmwood Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be his nephews Trelawney Eston Marchant III, Walter Bristow Marchant, Robert Bruce Borucki, Gregory Poole Harris, Edward Wade Mullins III, and Andrew Robertson Mullins. All active, retired and former members of the South Carolina Judiciary are invited to serve as honorary pallbearers. Memorials may be made to Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29204. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.