Buddy Bowman

Ernest (Buddy) Bowman passed away peacefully at his home on June 11, 2026. Born in Anderson, S.C., on April 14, 1941, Buddy was the son of the late Ruby Hampton and Albert Prue Bowman, and was predeceased by his sister, Jean Reeder Wilkes, Sally Wilene Mason, and Linda Hart. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Rebecca (Becky) Shockley Bowman, and his son, Rick Bowman of Ware Sholes. From the age of ten, Buddy grew up in his beloved Victor Mill village in Greer, S.C. He graduated from Greer High School in 1961, served in the U.S. Marine Corps, completed North Greenville Junior College with an Associate’s degree, graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.A. in World History in 1969, and earned a Master of Education in History, Economics and Foreign Relations at North Georgia University. With dedication and joy, he taught and coached at Gainesville High School for more than 30 years, and took great pride in mentoring students, many of whom have stayed in touch with him over the years. Known and revered as a great-hearted, convivial, generous man whose life was devoted to caring about and helping others, to engaging and enjoying a host of friends and family far and wide. Buddy loved to talk, reminisce, teach, learn, support, share, and give. He loved sports, joyfully and skillfully played basketball on Victor Mill and Greer High teams, sang in quartets, and acted in community theater. After retirement, Buddy increased his lifelong habit of visiting childhood friends and family, especially those who were homebound, or in poor health, or lonely. He’d drive 70-100 miles to be with someone he felt needed cheering up. He’d jump in his car or truck, with his dog-best friend, Buck, and deliver bushels of fresh fruits and vegetables from farmers’ markets to his old friends. He would visit people in nursing homes and hospitals and sit with them for hours. Retirement also allowed Buddy to pursue his passion for writing and for celebrating people by penning a memoir, Running Barefoot Through the Southern Piedmont-a meditated, insightful, and entertaining social and anecdotal history filled with humor and affection. It features his well-known storytelling skills, shares his fond memories of growing up in postwar Southern mill villages, and pays homage and honor to his family, friends, and mentors in a heartfelt paean to brotherhood, gratitude, and compassion. His loss is deeply mourned. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at Washington Baptist Church conducted by Dr. Drew Hines and Mr. Don Brown. Burial will follow in Woods Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held 12:45-1:45 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at Washington Baptist Church. Memorial may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or Greenville Humane Society, 305 Airport Road, Greenville, South Carolina 29607. Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com.

Buddy Bowman

April 14, 1941 - June 11, 2026