Grand Master - Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina USA - Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina

MWB Walter C. Disher II, Grand Master

Walter Calhoun Disher II was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina on December 21, 1967 to Crystal J. and the late Walter C. Disher, Jr., of Holly Hill, SC. He graduated from Holly Hill-Roberts High School in 1986. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Columbia Southern University with a major in Health and Safety Engineering and a minor in Environmental Management. He is married to the former Laura Ann Mims of Harleyville. They have one son (Thomas John), and one granddaughter (Avery Thomas). They are members of Bethel United Methodist Church and reside at Beidler Forest in the Harleyville area.
He attained instructor status through the U.S. Department of Labor with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). He is a graduate of the National Center for Construction Education and Research as a Certified Instructor in Core Training, Heavy Equipment, and Crane Operations. He holds or has held memberships in: The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, The American Society of Safety Engineers, and The National Environmental Training Association.

He was employed in private industry manufacturing with Safety-Kleen Corporation EHS Department as the Hazardous Materials Operations Training Instructor, serving on the Corporate Health and Safety Board and Westvaco Corporation as a Research Analyst in the Carbon Division with Lithium Ion, Automotive, and Military Applications. In 1999, he accepted the position of OSHA Officer II with The South Carolina Department of Transportation and in 2002 was promoted to Supervisor of the EHS Office in District Six. In 2005, he was promoted to the position of State Planner III with Traffic Engineering Division in Columbia. In 2010, he accepted early retirement from the South Carolina Department of Transportation. He has served on the Board of Advisors for the Emergency Medical Services program at the Dorchester Career and Technology Center.

Brother Cal supports the South Carolina State Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) as a Neighborhood Volunteer. It is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer, funding lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and providing free information and support services. He is also a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, Incorporated and serves on the General’s Staff. This organization’s financial support provides care for children and support for those in need. Brother Cal and his wife Laura are supporters of Feed the Children providing food for America’s children in need, Dorchester Paws, their local animal shelter and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

Brother Cal was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on September 18, 1995 in Vance Lodge No. 230 and is a Life member. He served his Lodge as Worshipful Master in 2001 and 2006, showing proficiency in the Third Degree and First and Third Degree lectures. He served as President and Secretary of the Masters and Wardens Club in District Seven.

Brother Cal is a York Rite member in Charleston and Orangeburg. He has served as Excellent High Priest, Illustrious Master, and Eminent Commander of the York Rite Bodies of Orangeburg. He also served the Grand Chapter, Grand Council, and Grand Commandery of South Carolina in many appointed positions. At the 2014 Grand York Rite Session, he was awarded the Knight Commander of the Temple Award by the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar for the United States of America. In 2017, he was awarded the Grand Commanders Membership Medal. He is the Grand Chapter representative to the state of New York.

He has membership in he following Appendant Bodies: The Lowcountry Past Masters Unit of Charleston, DeMolay International/Honorary Legion of Honor/Advisor At Large in South Carolina, The Royal Order of Scotland, National Sojourners MIP Charleston No. 28, Heroes of ’76, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Knight Masons/Past Excellent Chief, Allied Masonic Degrees/Past Sovereign Master, Charlestowne York Rite College/Order of the Purple Cross, Red Cross of Constantine, Knights of the York Cross of Honour, South Carolina College Societas Rosicruciana In Civitabus Foederatis, and was ordained in Cana Tabernacle Holy Royal Order Knight Templar Priest. Brother Cal is a Life member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Charleston, South Carolina. He is charter member and Past Venerable Master of the Knights of St. Andrew and past President of the KCCH Association. In 2003, he was invested with the rank and distinction of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour. In 2011, he was coroneted a 33rd degree Inspectors General Honorary by The Supreme Council.

MWB Walter Calhoun "Cal" Disher II, Grand Master
2019 - 2021

Vance No. 230 AFM
Vance, South Carolina

Grand Master Coin, MWB Walter C. Disher II

Grand Master Lapel Pin, MWB Walter C. Disher II

Grand Master Silver Coin, MWB Walter C. Disher II

In 1996, he transversed the hot sands of the dessert on his pilgrimage to Mecca in Myrtle Beach, under Illustrious Sir Mike Horne, Potentate of Omar Shrine Temple. He served on the Omar Temple Ritualistic Divan for numerous years. Brother Cal considers Shriners Hospitals for Children the worlds greatest philanthropy.

He served our Grand Lodge as District Deputy Grand Master of District 7 under MW Kent Elkins and MW Jack Marler, Senior Grand Deacon under MW Ron Mitchum, Masonic Education Committeeman under MW Jay Adam Pearson, MW David DeChant, and MW William B. Rogers, and five years on the Grand Lodge Finance Committee. He is the current Grand Representative to the State of North Dakota and the Ivory Coast. In 2009, MW Gerald Carver presented him with the second highest award that a Mason can receive in the state of South Carolina, The Frederick Dalcho Certificate of Merit. In 2015, he was elected Junior Grand Warden. In 2017, he was elected Deputy Grand Master. At the two hundred and eighty-first Annual Communication, Most Worshipful Michael D. Smith Sr. awarded him the Albert Gallatin Mackey Medal, the highest award that can be bestowed on a Mason in South Carolina.

Brother Cal agrees with Most Worshipful D. Samuel Tennyson, ”The highest title a man can be called is Brother.” Brother Cal adds the caveat “This is only true when the man speaking feels that way, in his heart, about the man with whom he is conversing.”

MWB Walter C Disher II