William "Buck" Buford

Buck was born Oct 5, 1934, in Houston, Texas, the first son of W.C. and Minnie (Thomas) Buford.

Buck attended high school in Livingston, TX, graduating in the Class of 1952. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Sam Houston State University in Agriculture and Education and another Master’s from Stephen F. Austin, in Education.

Buck’s military career began with the Texas National Guard in Huntsville, TX, while he was in college. He received a direct commission in 1957 in the Texas National Guard in Infantry. When his unit transitioned to the 49th Armored Division, he transitioned to Armor and the unit was called to active duty. On active duty, he subsequently transitioned to the Signal Corps and served two combat tours in Vietnam as a fixed wing aviator. Buck subsequently transitioned to Military Police and Criminal Investigation and was the Director of Confinement at the U.S. Army Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth, KS.

Buck was a graduate of military schools in the Infantry, Armor, Aviation, Signal, Counterinsurgency, Special Forces and Defense Weapons with assignments including Fort Polk, LA, Fort Benning, GA; Fort Rucker, AL; Fort Stewart, GA; Fort Monmouth, NJ and Fort Leavenworth, KS . His overseas assignments included Germany and Vietnam.

His military decorations and awards include the Bronze Star w/ Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC), Meritorious Service Medal w/OLC, Air Medal w/5thAward, Army Commendation Medal w/OLC, Army Aviation Badge, Air Assault Badge, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross along with Army and Vietnam Service Medals.

Following retirement from the Army, Buck served as the Warden of the Allegheny County Prison in Pennsylvania. In a subsequent assignment as Vice Principal at LaMarque High School he was affectionately known as “The Warden”.

As a businessman and entrepreneur in real estate, his ability to move and restore houses and develop properties was renowned.

Having grown up in the family’s restaurant business, he was an exceptional cook, served as a Mess Sergeant in the Texas National Guard, caterer and entertaining host.

Always with a story to tell, he entertained family, especially nieces and nephews, and friends with so many personal experiences that were true but almost unbelievable.

Buck’s hobbies included motorcycling, woodworking and carpentry, gardening and cooking and he was masterful in all of them. He was a member of Oak Shade Baptist Church. He was a Master Mason in Good Standing of Trinity No. 14 Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. and A. M., Livingston; a Royal Arch Mason in The Goodwin-Hiram Chapter No. 1 of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of NJ; a Royal and Select Master of the Field Council No. 12 of The Most Puissant Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of the State of NJ; a 32nd Degree KCCH with A&A Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, SJ, Valley of Houston, Orient of Texas; a Sir Knight in the Corson Commandery No. 15 of the Knights Templar, Red Bank, NJ; and a member of the American Canadian Grand Lodge, A.F. and A.M. within the Grand Lodges of Germany, Peter M. Rasmussen Lodge 916, Worms, Germany,

Buck is survived by two brothers, Ted Buford of Vienna, VA and Ron Buford of Austin, TX, daughter Lisa Keefe of Cleveland, TX, granddaughters Jennifer Keefe of Carrollton, TX and Rachel Merryman of Cleveland, TX, and great-grandson, Colton Merryman of Cleveland, TX. Nieces and nephews include Jeannine Kuhnell, Julienne Sheffield, Angela Wright, Corbett Buford, Natalie Buford-Young and Greg Buford. He was preceded in death by his second wife, Martha; sister, Lorraine Wright, and a nephew, Chris Buford. His son, Wayne Buford born on December 1, 1955 passed away on May 4, 2017.

Buck’s family wishes to thank the caregivers, nurses, and staff at William R. Courtney Veteran’s Home in Temple, TX, for their care and service. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to Oak Shade Baptist Church.

Graveside services will be held at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, May 5, 2017 at Oak Shade Cemetery, Cleveland, Texas.

PACE-STANCIL FUNERAL HOME
303 E. CROCKETT
CLEVELAND, TEXAS
281-592-2641