Billy Don "Bud" Vanderbilt

Billy Don "Bud" Vanderbilt of Hope, Arkansas, died Tuesday, September 20, 2011. He was born in Cove, Arkansas November 29, 1931 to Raymond Earl Clark and Ruth Vanderbilt Clark. At the death of his mother, July 1932, he and his brother, Owen, were adopted by their maternal grandparents, Solomon and Lizzie Vanderbilt of Cove. Bud attended Cove Elementary School and Mena High School during the Korean Conflict, he joined the U.S. Navy and was in boot camp at Norfolk, Virginia. He served 18 months aboard the U.S.S. Monterey Air Craft Carrier as part of the Atlantic Fleet. After leaving the U. S. Navy, he did pipe line construction in several states. He attended trade school in Okmulgee, Oklahoma and later started his own small engine repair business in Antoine, Arkansas, also later owning and operating his own backhoe business in the Antoine and Delight area and later in Hope, Arkansas. Bud was often the first to show up with his chain saw and backhoe when he saw a neighbor or a friend in need, whatever the disaster, whether illness or storm cleanup. Children came often to get a toy or a bicycle fixed or for a ride on his tractor. He was preceded in death by his two sons, Bill Bart (1958-1974) and Lester Clayton (1961-2000), seven brothers, Calvin, Fred, Joe, Harold "Buster", George, Owen, and Jim Vanderbilt, and one sister, Alma Vanderbilt Price (Bart). He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Davis Vanderbilt, originally form Magnolia, Arkansas, where they married on June 30, 1957. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2007. Graveside services will be held Friday, September 23, 2011 at 11 a.m. at Westview Cemetery at Cove with Brother Jerry Crane officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Visitation is general. Military honors will be rendered by the United States Navy and local Veterans Organizations of Polk County. Thanks to all the wonderful friends, neighbors and church members who were so much help when Dorothy and Bud were disabled.