Bud Allan Price

Bud Allan Price March 31, 1935 - April 27, 2011 Bud Allan Price, age 76, of Waco passed away Wednesday, April 27, 2011, at St. Catherine's Center, surrounded by his family. Celebration of life services will be 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 3, at First Baptist Church of Waco with Dr. Matthew Snowden officiating. Burial at 11:00 a.m., at Oakwood Cemetery will precede the memorial service. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Monday, May 2, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. Bud was born March 31, 1935, in Kilgore, Texas, to Donald David, Sr., and Juanita Taylor Price, and graduated from Pine Tree High School, Greggton, Tex., in 1953. He graduated from Baylor University in 1958 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in one hand and a summons to serve in the U.S. Army in the other! He was stationed in Munich, Germany, for most of his June 1958 to May 1960 military service. Returning to Longview, Tex., Bud worked for Southwest Reserve Life Insurance as an accountant. He began his banking career February 1962 as a commissioned National Bank Examiner, Office of the Controller of Currency, United States Treasury Department, serving in Longview, Dallas, and later in charge of the Corpus Christi office. He married Helen L. Hardy, originally from Flora, Illinois, August 31, 1963. Their first son, Craig, was born in Corpus Christi. In July 1966, Bud was hired by National City Bank of Waco, served as vice president and senior vice president in charge of loans. In November 1979, he became director and president of Robinson State Bank, and later, in 1988, director/president of the newly formed Waco State Bank. Both banks were merged in 1991 to become Fidelity Bank of Texas FBT, where Bud served as president/director, chairman of the board, and chief executive officer, president of FBC, Inc., and Fidelity Bancshares, Inc. He retired with 42 years of banking service. He was active in civic affairs: serving in professional and charitable organizations, as Chairman of the Waco Clearing House Association, Texas Association of Business, Waco; District 4 Chairman Texas Bankers Association, Downtown Waco, Inc., re-elected for a second year, Waco-McLennan County Library Board, American Red Cross, and 3rd vice chairman, Executive Committee, Freeman House, Waco County Library Board, "Friends of the Library" Board, Rebuilding Together of Waco; as advisory director of the Lott State Bank, and Pakrite Plastics; on advisory boards of the Heart of Texas Council of Government and MHMR; as Director and Treasurer of the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum; Waco Junior Chamber of Commerce, Jaycees/Red Blazer Welcome Committee, Waco Boating/Fishing Club Fish Pond, Treasurer of Waco Little League, on committees of the Waco Chamber of Commerce, Baylor Waco Foundation Solicitation Committee; as a member of Waco & Robinson Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, Brazos Beautification Project, Life Member of Baylor Alumni Association, Baylor Heritage Club, Waco Masonic Lodge #92, Knights Templar Waco Commandry #10, Hedonia Club, Ridgewood Country Club and the Waco Cotton Palace Pageant. Bud was a member of Bible Study Fellowship for seven years, a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Waco since 1966, a member and president of the McCall Sunday School Class, ordained a deacon in 1990, and served on numerous church committees, including the Teller Committee for 42 years. He was known to quote: "The Teller Committee is the only committee in the church that meets weekly!" Bud was co-founder and charter member of the Waco Pipe Smokers' Club. He won the first club-sponsored pipe smokers contest! He collected pipes, steins, tobacco tins, canes, knives and books. He was an avid reader, enjoyed classical music, carved pipes, created pipe tobacco tampers and belt buckles in brass, bronze and silver. Bud loved to trade or swap for things he wanted. Hobbies included hunting, fishing, cooking, and "84," which he shared with his son, wife, and friends. He was an avid supporter of Baylor sports: football, basketball and baseball. Bud's commitment to his Lord and family were his top priorities in life. He is preceded in death by his mother, Juanita Taylor Price; step-father, Donald David Price, Sr.; son, Bradley Allan Price; brother, Stephen Price; and sister, Kathi Sue Price. Bud is survived by his wife of 47 years, Helen Hardy Price; son, Craig U. Price; brothers, Donald David, Jr., and wife, Martha, of Longview, Gary Taylor and wife, Sherry, of Atlanta, Georgia; sister, Pamela Price Christy and husband, Fred, of Longview; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Endowment Foundation, 500 Webster, Waco TX 76706, or to a charity of choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey