Walter "Budd" J. Shirkey

Shirkey, Walter J, "Budd" finished his "18 holes" on earth and headed for the lush fairways and greens of Heaven on Thursday, May 24, 2012. He was surrounded by his immediate family including Marilyn, his wife of 62 years, son's Michael (Sue), Mark (Karyn), and Rick (Ann); and daughters Roxanne and Marianne. Also surviving are Budd's sister's Doris, Dorothy, Mildred, and Nancy, and Grandpa and Grandma Shirkey's twelve grand kids and eighteen great grand kids. And Bella.

Budd was a proud Korean War Veteran and a Patriot's Patriot. He retired from Simpson Industries (Teer-Wickwire) as a multi-skilled tool maker and machinist, and has enjoyed a very active and healthy retirement for the last 17 plus years.

A self-trained and gifted engineer/mechanic, Budd could build or fix just about anything. He was especially talented in construction and automotive mechanics. Whether it was in Jackson, where they spent their summers in a home they built on Grand Lake, or in their Florida winter home in Orange City, Budd was always the ready and willing 'handy man'.

He loved his family and family get-together's. He was often the life of the party and always the champion "teaser" amongst their grand and great grand kids.
Other than family, church, and golf, it was widely known to not schedule much from October 1 to December 1 each year because his highest passion was hunting. He taught his sons and many other 'adopted' sons to respect and enjoy the outdoors. He was equally proficient and successful with bow or gun and in the latter years, much preferred his cross bow.

A Memorial Service is being held at Jackson Free Methodist Church on Saturday, May 26. Officiating will be grandson, Chaplain Captain Matt Shirkey. Visitation at noon, Memorial at 1 pm with a luncheon following. An American Legion Color Guard and Flag ceremony is also planned.

For contributions, please consider supporting the "Sportsman's Weekend" by sending donations to Somerset Beach Campground (A Free Methodist Church Camp), PO Box 307, Somerset Center, Mi. 49282.

Desnoyer Funeral Home --
Family owned for 122 years