Former South Carolina Treasurer Converse Alvah Chellis III dies at 82

(WCIV) — Flags atop the State Capitol, state buildings and buildings of the political subdivision will be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset Thursday in honor of former South Carolina State Treasurer Converse Alvah Chellis III, who died Sunday after a battle with cancer. He was 82.

Flags atop the State Capitol, state buildings and buildings of the political subdivision will be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset Thursday in honor of former South Carolina State Treasurer Converse Alvah Chellis III, who died Sunday after a battle with cancer. (Photo: scstatehouse.gov)

Chellis, a Summerville native and Citadel Cadet class of 1965, built a career as a certified public accountant before entering public service. He co-founded the Chellis & Chellis accounting firm with his father, leading the firm for more than three decades before it later merged with another practice.

The Governor orders that flags atop the State Capitol, state buildings, and buildings of the political subdivision be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in honor of Converse Alvah Chellis, III. pic.twitter.com/yNXnbgIM2R

— SC Governor Press (@scgovernorpress) June 17, 2026

After serving as a captain in the United States Air Force, Chellis served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1996 to 2006, representing Dorchester County’s 94th District. During his tenure, he chaired the House Rules Committee and the Business and Commerce Committee and also served on the Labor, Commerce and Industry’s Banking and Consumer Affairs Committee. He was widely regarded as a respected figure across party lines.

Chellis was active in civic and professional organizations, including the South Carolina Association of CPAs, the Summerville Chamber of Commerce, where he served as president, and local service groups. Over the years, he received numerous honors, including the “Friend of the Taxpayer Award,” Businessman of the Year from the Summerville Chamber, and the Palmetto Patriot Award.

Beyond his professional life, he was known for his dedication to his church and community, as well as his enthusiasm for sports, particularly Summerville High School and The Citadel football.