Orville Winfield "Bud" Wallar, Jr. passed away on December 9, 2025, having lived an uncompromising life committed to his family. We learned from him to think deeply, care passionately, and dream endlessly.

Bud was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on January 7, 1940, to Winona Warden Wallar and Orville Winfield Wallar. He was nicknamed "Bud" at an early age to avoid the obvious burden of being called Orville or Junior. Nevertheless, he was obligated to join the third-generation family business, Springfield Electric Service Company. At age 12, Bud began working for his father after school, starting as a janitor and later becoming an apprentice, bookkeeper, office manager, and general manager. Discouraging extracurricular activities, his parents emphasized the values of hard work and family tradition. Bud revered those principles but also distinguished himself as the first in his family to attend college. He valued education for its own sake, and despite his father's opposition, Bud earned his BA in business and economics from Drury College (now University) and then pursued a graduate degree at the Washington University School of Business in St. Louis.

While at Drury, Bud was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, a leadership society. He put those skills to use as President of his fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon, living out his Animal House era with gentlemen who became lifelong friends. But his defining feat at Drury was meeting and marrying Eunice Hope Schmiechen, his wife of 64 years. Eunice survives him, along with their two children, Kara DeBacker (Michael) of Springfield and Todd Wallar (Jenny Richards) of Seattle, WA. He is also survived by his grandson, Adam Winfield DeBacker of Springfield. Adam was Bud's greatest joy, who emulates the entrepreneurial spirit, passion for education, and devotion to family Bud esteemed.

Together, Bud and Eunice were instrumental as early members of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Springfield. Its principles of the free and rational search for truth and meaning were at the heart of Bud's beliefs. He served the church in many leadership roles, including as President and was vital to the capital campaign for a new church building on Battlefield Road. Within the local community, Bud also served on the boards of The ARC of the Ozarks, Camp Fire, and was a founding director of State Bank of Southwest Missouri.

Bud once said that "quality, integrity, honesty, and fair pricing" are the fundamental elements of good business. As president of the company for 35 years, he gained a reputation for straightforward fairness to both his customers and employees. He possessed notable knowledge

of electrical apparatus sales and service. These skills, along with his leadership savvy, made Bud a standout in the industry. He became a regional director and President of the Electrical Apparatus Service Association (EASA), the Chair of the group's insurance committee, and a member of EASA International Board of Directors.

Bud's insistence on independence and fairness came from being the middle child of three boys. His younger brother, Michael D. Wallar (1944-2018), was his best friend, and they lived within earshot of each other most of their lives. The boys, along with their older brother Charles W. Wallar (1936-2019), spent inordinate time drinking beer and fishing at the family's cabin along the James River. It was this wooded hillside overlooking the water where Eunice and Bud built their dream home. After early retirement, Bud spent the bulk of his time at home, singing to his prized tomato plants, poring over genealogical records, birdwatching, and reading copious numbers of history books. It is there at the river where his ashes will be scattered.

A celebration of Bud's life will be held January 10, 2026, at First Unitarian Universalist Church in Springfield, Missouri, at 11:00 am followed by a meal of homemade chicken and noodles and apple pie. Memorials may be sent to Drury College or The First UU Church.