He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Eleanor (Martignoni), son, Mark (Terry), daughter, Christine Ford and son, Tom, seven grandsons, Mark Jr. (Patrice), Scott (Elizabeth), Sam Ford, Jack Ford, Henry, Theodore and George and his great grandchildren, Ashlynn, Richard, Luciano and Giovanni. He’s also survived by his brother, Lloyd (Pat), and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his parents Walter Phillip and Rachel (Rowland), brother, Walter Phillip Jr., sisters Janet Hayes and Joan Bailey, son-in-law Erin, and grandsons Benjamin and Harrison.
Bud attended El Captain Elementary, Merced High School and a brief time at UC Davis. He received a Purple Heart while serving in the Army during the Korean War.
He was a McSwain School board trustee, charter member of McSwain Education Foundation, Farmers’ Rice Coop director, Federal Land Bank director, trustee and founders Circle Member of the Merced Historical Society, past president of Merced County Old Timers, member of Tehran Temple Shriners-Fresno, Merced-Mariposa Shrine Club, Masonic Yosemite Lodge and Scottish Rite of San Jose. He belonged to Elks Lodge of Merced, Merced-Mariposa California Cattlemen’s Association, American Legion Post, Italo-American Lodge, and Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church and a big supporter for 4-H and FFA.
Services will be Monday, September 30, 2024 at 10:00 am at Stratford Evans Funeral Home, 1490 B Street, Merced. A graveside service will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park, 1480 B Street.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Bud’s memory to Merced County Historical Society, PO Box 3557, Merced 95344 or Hinds Hospice, 410 W. Main Street, Ste. A, Merced 95340.
His family is forever grateful for the dedication, kindness, patience and comfort that Vera P, Carsyn S and Araceli P had for our dad. You all are a true blessing.
