Laymon Luther “Buddy” Echols, 88, husband of the late of Billie Rainey Echols died Friday, June 17, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family.
Born in Greenville, he was the son of the late Laymon Luther and Martha Posey Echols. Buddy was a lifelong member of Buncombe Street United Methodist Church and a faithful member of the Round Table Sunday School class. He was a graduate of Greenville High School Class of 1952, and Davidson College Class of 1956 where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
Buddy served as a first lieutenant in the United States Army; he was assigned to the Army Intelligence Agency and stationed in Nationalist China. President of Echols Oil Company and Haulers, Inc. from 1958 until 1997, he also served as President of the South Carolina Oil Jobbers Association in 1966.
Buddy is survived by two daughters, Martha Echols Waddell (Dan), and Mary Hamilton Echols (Wesley); two grandchildren, Robert Fredrick Fowler, IV and Laura Rainey Fowler; and a step-grandchild, Virginia Waddell.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, from 10:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. at Buncombe Street United Methodist Church. Due to the pandemic, the family was not able to properly say goodbye to Billie, and so, just as in life, they will be celebrated together with a memorial service at 12:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. A private burial will be held in Springwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Buncombe Street United Methodist Church Round Table Sunday School Class, 200 Buncombe St., Greenville, SC 29601.
Condolences and your favorite memories may be shared with the family by clicking the “Leave a Message, Share a Memory” button on the main obituary page.