Buddy Gene Gillman

Buddy (Bud) Gene Gillman

September 22, 1931 – September 30, 2025

Our beloved husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother, Bud Gene Gillman, returned home to his Heavenly Father.

Bud was born on September 22, 1931, in Provo, Utah. As a young child, he grew up during the Depression years. He spent part of his childhood in Heber, Utah, and later moved with his family to Orem when his father began working at Geneva Steel. From a young age, Bud learned the value of hard work, helping in the fields by planting, picking, and harvesting crops.

He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1949 and proudly enlisted in the United States Navy the following year. From 1950 to 1954, he served aboard the USS Bairoko as a navigator during the Korean War.

After returning home from his military service and turning in his white uniform. The GI Bill gave Bud the opportunity to attend Utah Trade Technical School (now UVU), where he studied cabinet making and engineering. What began as a trade became his lifelong passion. As a passion and hobby Bud dedicated 47 years to woodworking, creating furniture, cabinetry, and countless projects for family, friends, and the community.

Bud then decided to put on a blue uniform and began his career in law enforcement with the Provo Police Department, serving from 1956 to 1987. He then traded in his blue uniform for a BYU blue uniform and went on to serve with the BYU Police Department until 2004. Bud dedicated nearly five decades of his life to his community and to his country, from 1950 until his retirement. Bud's life was one of devotion, duty, and love for his family and community.

On March 17, 1954, Bud married Joyce (Maggie) Bardsley. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple, and together they raised four children. Bud was a devoted loving husband and father whose greatest joy was his family.

After Maggie's passing, Bud married Sherill Hunter on July 1, 2000. Through this marriage, he gained another loving family.

Bud quietly served in his church and community throughout his life including a Humanitarian mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with his wife Sherill. He was a man of honesty, humility, and strong testimony of his Savior, Jesus Christ. He loved woodworking, photography, music, and travel. Among his most cherished trips was a visit to his family's homeland of Liverpool, England, where he deeply appreciated his pioneer heritage. He was moved by the sacrifice of those who had gone before him and wept with gratitude for their faith and example.

Bud is survived by his brother Dennis (Peggy), his wife Sherill, his children Denice, Richard (Michele), Clint and Carrie (Jim), 10 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren, as well as Sherill's children, Stacey (Dan), Scott, and Nancy (Kim) including her 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce "Maggie", his parents Raymond and Carrol, his brother Larry and his sons-in-law Stan Williams and Scott Summers.

He will be remembered for his devotion to faith and family, his service to others, his love of craftsmanship, and his quiet strength. Bud's legacy of love, service, and integrity will live on in the lives of all who knew and loved him. He will also be remembered of course knitting on the beach in Mexico and his serenading us on the Harmonica and Ukulele.

Funeral services for Bud will be held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 11:00 am in the American Fork 37th Ward Chapel, located at 1100 East 400 North American Fork, Utah. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Wednesday morning from 9:30-10:30 am prior to service at the church. Interment will be held in the Provo City Cemetery.