Bud Ackley passed from this life, at home with family, after a five-year battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Born in Marble Rock, Iowa, the youngest son of Judson and Myrtle Ackley, he joined siblings Jerry and Peggy Jo. Looking for a new adventure during WWII, the family moved from their Iowa farm to the Pacific Northwest on Valentine’s Day in the early 1940s, settling in Vancouver, Wash.

Bud grew up in Vancouver, loved the Boy Scouts, went to Shumway Junior High and excelled in track and football. After graduation from Vancouver High School, he joined the Air Force in 1954, during the Korean War and was stationed in Korea and Japan. He trained K-9 sentry dogs in Japan and was an Air Police Officer.

Bud’s family grew to include daughters Kimberly K. and Teri Lynn and adopted son, Dan. After his military service, he worked for Vita Milk Dairy in Seattle and was half owner in a Texaco service station. He became a pilot and flew float planes.

A second marriage added stepdaughters Tracey and Karin to the family. Bud worked for Mobil Oil and BP Oil Company; first as a tanker driver, then fueling Washington state ferries at Harbor Island. He branched out into maintenance and computer main frames and became certified in many areas, such as the art and science of hydrocarbon vapor control, hazmat training at Hazwoper and much more. His job required him to be on call 24-7.

Life happens, and single Bud met his forever partner, Brenda Neth, in 1979 in Vancouver. during a Miss Washington Pageant, where his niece Jennifer was Miss Clark County. Brenda worked for the pageant and had three young children Dawn, Damon and Derek. Bud and Brenda were married a year later on Nov. 8, 1980. The blended family lived in Redmond, Wash., with Bud working in Seattle, Renton, Tacoma, Bellevue and Issaquah for many years.

Bud had a very quiet spirituality and strong faith that brought him through the tragedies and disappointments in his life. He was positive in his convictions and never gave up!

After Bud’s retirement at age 55, they moved to Whidbey Island and created a loving family home where their children and grandchildren loved to visit and enjoy each other. Bud was a loving dad, grandpa and friend like no other. Joining all his family together was the biggest joy in his life.

Bud had a number of passions: his family, friends, traveling the world, boating, fishing, crabbing, camping with friends, flying float planes, collecting antiques and memorabilia for his Bud’s Bar (located in his nine-bay, six-door shop), his beloved pets, hosting shop parties, being a charter member of the Whidbey Cruzer Car Club, car cruises, car shows, fun with the Cruzers and a five o’clock scotch.

He loved restoring cars, always doing a body off restoration, first with a ‘65 Mustang convertible, then a ‘49 Plymouth Business Coupe, and a ‘66 Ranchero. All were labors of love, sweat and tears! Bud was also lifetime member of the Elks and V.F.W.

The family will remember Bud for his quick smile, generosity, kindness, humor, love of nature, curiosity, creativity, barbequed steaks, potato salad, fried chicken, blackberry pies, deep fried turkey, curly fries and donuts (while camping), and canning tuna and salmon, fixing absolutely everything, and his warmth and love.

Bud is survived by Brenda, his wife of 37 years, and daughters Kimberly K. (Lynn) Ackley, Dawn (Jim) Bennett, Tracey (Dan) Cummings and Karin (Jerry) Martin. Also surviving are grandchildren Rachel Ackley, Danielle Bennett, Peter Bennett, Kameron Kohl, Kelsey Kohl, Emilie Neth and Lilly Neth; sister, Peggy Jo (Ed) Sinclair; and many loving and very loved nieces and nephews. Bud was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Teri Lynn, stepsons Damon and Derek Neth, and his brother Jerry Ackley.

A special thank you to Whidbey Health Hospice. Their gentle caring for Bud the last two months was tender and touching. Bud had a full, wonderful life, doing everything he ever dreamed of. He would tell everyone, “Don’t wait, do it now!” He was a quiet man of great character who possessed a great sense of humor. We will miss him forever but we are incredibly enriched through his knowledge and guidance in our lives.

A memorial service for Bud will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 13, 2017, at Wallin Funeral Home with Linda Haddon as Life Celebrant. A reception at the funeral home will follow. Inurnment and military honors, provided by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, are scheduled for 2 p.m. at Maple Leaf Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to North Whidbey Help House, 1091 S.E. Hathaway St., Oak Harbor, WA. 98277.

Services were entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home. To share messages or condolences, please visit Bud’s Book of Memories page on the funeral home website at www.wallinfuneralhome.com

Ackley