Bud Smathers

Bud Smathers May 4, 1931 - March 23, 2008 M.G. "Bud" Smathers of Waco passed away Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008, at his home, surrounded by his family. Celebration of Life Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at Cogdell Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Kay Hawkins and Rev. Zeke Zirkel officiating. Burial will be at a later date at Valley Spring Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 26, in the Wilkirson- Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. Bud was born May 4, 1931, in Buzzard's Roost, TX, to Forrest and Ella Mae Smathers. He grew up in Valley Spring and loved spending time at his cabin there later in life. Bud graduated from Texas A&M in 1952 and served with the U.S. Army in Korea. Afterwards, he began his career with the Soil Conservation Service. In 1960, he married Carolyn Vollmar, with whom he had three daughters. The family moved to Waco in 1970. Bud loved serving the Lord and cherished the fellowship of Cogdell Memorial United Methodist Church. He also enjoyed his time with the ALIVE program, Farm and Ranch, McLennan County A&M Club, and HOT PACS. Bud shared his quick wit and humor with everyone he met. He was a loving friend, husband, father, and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his father, Forrest Smathers; brother, Lester Smathers; and nephew, Brad Lange. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Vollmar Smathers; daughters, Valerie Slade and husband, Chip, of San Antonio; Tammy Smathers of Waco; and Becky Simpson and husband, Shane, of Conroe; five grandchildren: Carolyn Slade, Shelby Slade, Ella Simpson, Mary Claire Simpson, and Carter Simpson; his mother, Ella Mae Smathers; sisters, Frances Barrick of Abernathy; Harriet Lange and husband, Pug, of Mason; Marilyn Reid and husband, Jimmy, of Abilene; sister-in-law, Mamie McEachran, of Pflugerville; brothers, James Smathers and wife, Pat, of Lufkin; and Pee Wee Smathers and wife, Mary Lou, of Valley Spring. Pallbearers are Royce Smathers, Keith Smathers, Robert Smathers, Clinton Barrick, Greg Lange, Rick Smathers, Ken Mathers, Glen Reid and Troy Ahrens. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. David Hardt and Randall Roberts. Memorials may be made to Cogdell United Methodist Church. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.