David Robert Whetsell

1944 - 2025

David Robert Whetsell

November 20, 1944 - June 15, 2025

Lexington, South Carolina - David Robert Whetsell, 80, went to be with his Lord & Savior on Sun., June 15, 2025 (Fathers Day), due to complications following a knee infection & pneumonia. He was born in Charleston, SC on Nov. 20, 1944. He was predeceased by this parents, Wilbur Cecil Whetsell & Mary Erma Berry Whetsell; his sister, Mary Cecile Matthews; and a granddaughter, Rebekah Patton. Mr. Whetsell is survived by his wife of 51 years, Deborah Anne Smith Whetsell; sons Justin D. (Melinda) & David A. Whetsell; daughters Roxanne Collier & Teresa (Mario) Garcideunas. Granddaddy Dave is also survived by grandchildren Harrison, Braden (Abby), & Natalie Collier; Scott Whetsell, Enoch Patton, Joshua Figuerou & Anita Wetzel; & great-grandson Xzavier Whetsell.

In the 1960s, Mr. Whetsell served his country in the Navy for nine years, and was stationed in San Diego, Calif. He is a plank owner of the USS Bainbridge, the first nuclear powered frigate, touring in the Mediterranean, the Far East, and off the coast of Cuba. He attended Murray Vocational School, Trident Technical College, and USC, where he majored in Mechanical Engineering. He worked for many years as an HVAC Technician at MUSC in Charleston, and for Bi-Lo, and retired from Richland County School Dist. #1. He also restored old Pepsi machines; was President of Renewal of Columbia, a recycling business; and was CEO of Whetsell Energy. He designed and built has last two family homes, which were highly energy efficient and had many appliances that ran off of solar power.

Mr. Whetsell enjoyed gardening and camping, and was a member of "Every Day Preppers" where he shared invaluable advice on gardening, canning, natural remedies, security and energy. He enjoyed going to rock concerts with his wife Debbie, and his favorite bands were Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Santana. He also shared his wife's love of animals, and they always had a pet cat or dog. His wife called him her energizer bunny, as he was always doing something, even if it was just putting a jigsaw puzzle together or watching T.V. Nascar Dave was proud of his 1970 Dodge Charger and was a member of Midlands Mopars. He was a gun collector, and the bigger the gun he talked about, the bigger the smile on his face. He was a founding member and on the building committee of Covenant Community Church (PCA). He's always been involved in politics, including "We The People", the 9/12 group, and founded "Stop Tax", which helped pass Act 388 to curb runaway taxes on homes. He credits A.A. and God to giving him 41 years of sobriety.

A private graveside service, officiated by Pastor Andy Newell, was held on Thurs., June 19 at the Magrill Family Cemetery in Elloree, SC. Fogle-Hungerpiller Funeral Home (with friend David Farr) is assisting the family. A memorial service will be held on Sat., June 28, at 1:00 p.m. at Covenant Community Church, 1302 Old Orangeburg Road, Lexington, SC 29073, officiated by Pastor Charles Swann, followed by a small reception. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Covenant Community Church.