It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Bud Earl Orchard, 95 years old, a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Bud died on January 6, 2024, surrounded by his family.

Bud was born to Earl Orchard and Dorothy L. (Grove) Quay on May 5, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri.  He had many fond memories of his youth spending time with his grandparents on their farm in Birch Tree, Missouri.  When he was in high school, he moved to Springfield, Missouri, where he graduated from SMU with a degree in agriculture and finance.  He joined the United States Navy and served during the Korean War as a recruiter.  He also played basketball with the Navy basketball team.  

After the military,  Bud was recruited by the Ford Motor Company where he was in upper management in charge of ordering parts for the vehicles they were making. He worked at Ford his whole career, retiring when he was 55 years old.  At that time, he decided to use his agriculture knowledge and bought a farm where he built a horse stable and arena for boarding and training.  His love of horses was evident as he enjoyed spending time with them every day.

As a young man, Bud discovered his passion for golf and honed his skills to perfection. From caddying for a professional golfer to becoming an exceptional player himself, his love for the game continued his whole life.  The last 4 1/2 years he lived with his daughter Holly and her husband Mike on a golf course that he used to play on.  He would enjoy looking out the window at the golfers while keeping an eye on his golf program on TV.  Most mornings his first query was asking if the golfers were out yet.

Bud loved spending time with his family and his great grandchildren.  Even though Bud was avid lover of sports, horses, and cars, through the years he never missed an opportunity to see his grandchildren in a dance or music recital, graduation, or a theatrical performance.  He never wanted to miss an opportunity to join in on the action. In recent years he painted by number with the great grandkids, decorated cookies, put puzzles together and always wanted to know what was going on. When extended family would leave, he would always ask, “Where is everyone?”  

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Selma (Cherie) Milum; and a niece Glenda Logan.

Bud leaves behind his daughter and her husband, Holly and Michael Beyer; four granddaughters and their husbands, Jill and Michael Webster, Katrina and Caleb Froedge, Heather and Todd Hare, and Valerie and Caleb Creech; a grandson, Bryce Beyer; eighteen grandchildren, Caleb Webster, Abigail Webster, Andrew Webster, Azriel Webster, Parker Hare, Jonathan Froedge, Phoebe Webster, Calvin Creech, Joshua Webster, Mason Creech, Lincoln Creech, Philip Froedge, Ethan Webster, Iris Creech, and Ruby Webster; two nieces, Sandra Woodside and Denise Parsons; other cousins, family members and friends.

In the coming days, we will gather to honor and pay tribute to Bud’s life. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, in Maple Park Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri at 10:30 am to honor our father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend. 

Bud Earl Orchard will be remembered for his kind, calm and quiet demeanor, and his sense of humor.  Even though his last few years were a struggle as dementia set in, he never complained and always had a great, pleasant attitude facing each challenge with a smile.

Bud will be deeply missed and never forgotten.