DeRoy Dowdle

DeRoy Dowdle, 87, of Simpsonville, SC, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Born in Fort Benning, GA on April 18,1939, he was a son of the late Lewis Tracy and Florence Robertson. 

DeRoy was a proud Veteran of the United States Air Force and spoke fondly of his time at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. He worked for Diamond Hill Plywood Company for many years and retired from Greenville County. DeRoy loved people, Pepsi, and puzzles, and could always be found in his favorite overalls. 

DeRoy is survived by three daughters, Christina Stepp, Kimberly Adams (Stephen), and Nancy Burkard (Christopher); four grandchildren, Kayla Stepp, Kevin Dowdle (Marsha), April Sullivan (Jason), and Stephanie Cox (Adam); seven great grandchildren, Jacob Stepp (Nikki), Wyatt Padgett, Katelyn Howard (Josh), Brayden Sullivan, Gavin Dowdle, McKensie Strickland, and Lexi Dowdle; one great-great granddaughter, Wrenley Kate Howard; and one sibling, Bennie Dowdle (Anne).

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, and Gail Lawing; a brother, LT Dowdle; a granddaughter, Jennifer Stepp; and a son-in-law, Michael Stepp.

The family would like to thank the staff of Compassus Hospice as well as Dr. Joshua Everett Smith with Palliative Care at Prisma in Greenville. 

A Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Cannon-Byrd Funeral Home; 1150 N. Main St, Fountain Inn, SC 29644.