Howard Duvall is a native of Cheraw, South Carolina. He graduated from Cheraw High School in 1961 and The Citadel in 1965 with a BA in Political Science.  In 1990, he holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of South Carolina.

 

Upon graduating from The Citadel, Mr. Duvall served four years in the US Air Force and continued his military service with the South Carolina Air National Guard. He resigned from the SC Air Guard in 1973.

 

Mr. Duvall returned to Cheraw after his military service to join Cheraw Hardware & Supply Company.  He was active in civic affairs with many organizations.  His love for history was shown in his efforts at preserving the history of Cheraw, Chesterfield County and the Pee Dee area.

 

He was a founding member of the Chesterfield County Historical Society and the Chesterfield County Historical Commission. He served on the reorganized St. David’s Society in the Pee Dee. He was a leader in the successful restoration of Old St. David’s Church, that restoration project led to many other restorations in Cheraw.

 

Mr. Duvall represented South Carolina from 1985 to 1994 on the Advisory Board of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  He is an Advisor Emeritus.  He also served on the Board of Review for historic places in South Carolina and was the first president of the South Carolina Archives Foundation.

 

The South Carolina Confederation of Local Historical Societies honored Duvall in 1986 with the first Richard N. Pryor Award for outstanding volunteer service in historic preservation. 

 

In 1973, Duvall was elected to the Cheraw Town Council.  In 1980 he was elected mayor.  In 1986, Duvall resigned as mayor to become an executive assistant to Governor Richard W. Riley. 

 

Governor Riley honored Duvall with the Order of the Palmetto in 1986 at the Cheraw Chamber of Commerce Annual meeting for his service as mayor of Cheraw.

 

Governor Riley appointed Duvall to the South Carolina Tax Commission where he served from January - July 1987.  In July 1987, Duvall became director of Intergovernmental Relations for the Municipal Association of South Carolina. Duvall became executive director of the Municipal Association in October 1992 and served until his retirement in 2008.

 

Duvall is the author of a history of the Municipal Association of South Carolina.  The book is written in chronological order to be useful in research.  A compilation of the book was published in July 2015, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the association. 

 

Duvall’s passion for gardening led to his serving on the Columbia Tree and Appearance Commission for six years, three as the Chair.  He also was on the board of Columbia Green. His gardening skills are evident at his home where he cultivates over 160 varieties of daylilies.

 

Duvall has served on the board of the State Retirees Association of South Carolina, the River Alliance, and Transitions.

 

Duvall and his wife, Allianne, are active members of Trinity Cathedral Parish.  He has served as the Cathedral Treasurer and as a member of the Vestry.  He has served as a Lay Eucharistic Minister since 1995. He serves on the pickle booth committee for the Trinity Bazaar where his artichoke chow chow quickly sells out.

 

The Duvalls have two daughters, Jackie Boylston of Forest Acres and Rena MacDevette of Lake Wylie. He is the proud grandfather to five grandchildren.