Bud Walters

Bud Walters, a longtime resident of St. Johns, Michigan, died peacefully at his home on July 20, 2025, in the care of his family after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was 69 years old.
Bud was born on May 24, 1956, in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. He attended Leslie High School before proudly enlisting in the U.S. Army, serving near the end of the Vietnam War. His service was a source of lifelong pride and shaped much of the grit and integrity he carried through the rest of his life.
In 1986, Bud met Linda Salladay in Lansing, and the two quickly fell in love. They married in 1991 and built a life rooted in love and strength. After living in Lansing, they eventually settled at their home on County Farm Road in St. Johns, where they built the strong, close-knit family Bud had always dreamed of.
Following his military service, Bud worked in industrial construction in Texas before returning to Michigan, where he worked numerous jobs before beginning his career as a plumber and pipefitter with UAW Union Local 333. In recent years, he found joy working at The Emerald Golf Course, combining his work ethic with his passion for the game.
Bud was a diehard sports fan who rarely missed a Michigan State game or an opportunity to cheer on the Detroit Lions, Tigers, & Pistons. He was especially passionate about golf, but nothing compared to the love he had for his family. He lived for his wife, children & grandchildren, and fought with all he had to stay with them as long as he could. Known for his grit, generosity, and unwavering loyalty, Bud was the kind of man who helped anyone who needed it. He could be rough around the edges, but those who knew him best understood he was all heart and wore it on his sleeve.
Bud is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Linda; his children, Jerry (Stacy) Walters, Kari (Nate) Simon, and Jacob (Taylor Johnson-Walters) Walters; and his grandchildren, Jace, Austin, and Maggie Walters, and Carter, Colin, and Connor Simon. He also leaves behind his mother, Margene Bietzel; sisters, Terria and Jenny; mother-in-law, Nancy (Marlowe) Bomers; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Ron (Carol) Salladay, Cynthia Salladay, and Joshua (Carrie) Salladay; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, his lifelong friend, Juan, and many other dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Franklin, his sister, Diana, his grandparents, and his father-in-law, Ronald Salladay.
Visitation will be held at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Parkway, St. Johns, on Sunday, July 27, from 3 to 6 PM. A Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home on Monday, July 28, at 11 AM, with visitation beginning at 10AM. Burial and military honors will be held at South Bingham Cemetery. A luncheon will follow.
Memorials may be made to the family to do something special in his name.
For further information, phone McGeehan Funeral Home at 989-224-4422.