LEWIS “BUD” G. HARTLEY

Bud Hartley, 84, passed away Tuesday, February 6, 2007 at Kadlec Medical Center from complications of pneumonia. He was born in Morgantown, West Virginia August 6, 1922. He attended school in Morgantown and joined the US Marine Corp at the start of World War II. He proudly served his country both in Japan and the US and was honorably discharged at the end of the war.

He married Marian DeWitt on June 10, 1943 and together they traveled to Richland, WA in 1948 where they have lived ever since. They raised their two daughters there and Bud spent his career working at Hanford as a Nuclear Operator at the Plutonium Finishing Plant and retired in 1983 after 35 years of service. He was proud of the work he did at Hanford and always had many stories to tell about his experiences and many co-workers. Following retirement, Bud and Marian spent many enjoyable years either at their cabin outside Cle Elum, or traveling in their RV to Arizona and other places around the US where they made great friends and truly relaxed and enjoyed that part of their lives.

Bud was a member of Central United Protestant Church in Richland since the early 1950s and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW.

In recent years, as her health declined, roles changed dramatically and Bud became Marian’s primary care giver. He has been there for her through thick and thin and could not have been a better example of “for better or worse, until death do we part”. He was also a wonderful father, grandfather and great grandfather and he will be missed always. He had a fun sense of humor and a gift of gab that allowed him to never meet a stranger.

Bud is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Marian, now residing at Callaway Gardens in Kennewick, WA; his daughters, Glenda Ackerman Fred of Kennewick, Diane Hartley of Richland; his granddaughters, Dionne Anderson Todd Spitzer of Los Angeles, CA, Michelle Breier Scott of Vancouver and three great grandchildren, Tyler, McKinsey and Kennedy Breier; also, Angie McCullough, a long-time family friend who has been so very supportive.

Bud was preceded in death by his father and mother, Guy and Amy Hartley, brother Emmitt, and sisters Marie, Irene and Pat.

A memorial service will be held for Bud on Saturday, February 10, 2007 at 10:00 AM at Einan’s Funeral Home in Richland followed by a graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the VFW, Cook-Erickson Post 7952, 1369 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99354.

The family would like to extend our sincere thanks to Eagle Assisted Living in Richland and Callaway Gardens in Kennewick for their exceptional care for Bud; also to Kadlec Hospital staff for their kindness and support.