Wilbur T. (Bud) Avery, 81, died August 16, 2012 at the Ozark Methodist Manor in Marionville, MO following a long battle with cancer. He leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Katherine (Katie) Avery; his son, Lynn Avery and his fiancée, DJ Westling; his daughter, Celeste Smith and her husband Danny; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and many close friends. Born in Jefferson City, his family moved to Ash Grove before finally settling in Springfield. The son of Fred P. and Claudine (Jones) Avery, Bud was a lifelong resident of Springfield. After graduating from Central High School in 1949, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, where he was a Sergeant on the U.S. Battleship New Jersey during the Korean War. While on leave he met his future wife, Katie Peters and married in 1952 at the Springfield Christian Church. Returning home after the war, Mr. Avery attended Southwest Missouri State College before joining the Lily Tulip Cup Company where he served as a production supervisor for 32 years. Mr. Avery was an ardent patriot, a member of the American Legion Post #676 in Springfield, and severed as Chef de Gare for the local Forty and Eight. A man of integrity, he was proud to have served his country and passed that passion on to his two sons-in-law both Sergeants in the U.S. Army. An accomplished woodworker, his handy work graces several homes and churches in the area, and he is noted for the "Cross" hanging in the sanctuary at Mount Carmel Methodist Church in Springfield, MO, where his family has been members for five generations He enjoyed traveling with his wife, and making new friends across America. An avid backyard cooker he was known for his award winning Ribs and Brisket. Always finding time to wet a line in Table Rock Lake, over the years he made a substantial depletion in the crappy population. Instrumental in developing social and service organizations and projects at the Manor, he and his wife Katie created and have been long-time members of the "Slow Steppers", and his Christmas decorations adorn the Manor's landscape for the community's holiday enjoyment. Mr. Avery served as the President of the Residents Association for the Manor, where one of his last projects was the construction of the new outdoor pavilion. Nothing made Bud prouder than his family who, with several of his friends, were by his side at the end. Friendships were for Bud life-lasting, where the making of friends, who were real friends, has been the best measure we have of Bud's success in life. He will be missed. Memorial Services will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 31, 2012 in the Ozark Methodist Manor Chapel in Marionville. Inurnment with Military Honors will follow at 1:00 p.m. in Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 S. Southwood Rd., (by Lake Springfield) Springfield, MO. Arrangements are by Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.