Watson "Bud" Francis

GREENFIELD – Watson "Bud" Francis, age 76, of Greenfield, Indiana, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at Community Heart and Vascular Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was born in Hazard, Kentucky on March 13, 1949 to Watson G. and Edythe (Keel) Francis. He graduated from Beech Grove High School in 1967. He was a loving husband to Peggy Templin Billington who he married on December 30, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Bud was the proud owner and operator of Demaree's Water Conditioning in Greenfield, Indiana and ran the operation for over four decades until his retirement. He was also a devoted member of the Southside Church of Nazarene in Indianapolis. Bud was genuine and kindhearted with the most captivating sense of humor. He loved to tell stories and entertain with his endless supply of jokes. In his free time, Bud enjoyed going to horse races, taking his boat out on the lake to fish, especially with his cousin, Ron, and spending time with family and friends. He was also an avid sports fan, and his grandkids could always count on him being in attendance at their various sporting events. He also loved to watch and cheer for the Cincinnati Reds and Cincinnati Bengals. He rarely missed an opportunity to meet his buddies at Hardee's for breakfast.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy Francis; sons Brian (Wendy) Francis and Brandon Francis both of Greenfield; step-sons, Nick (Stephanie) Alford, Mark (Jill) Billington, Jeff (Jackie) Billington, Chris (Aimee) Billington and Scott Billington; step-daughter, Audra Stanfield; sister, Debbie Bryant of Beech Grove; twin granddaughters, Macy and Emily Francis; and future grandson-in-law, Seth Robertson and eight step-grandchildren. Also grieving are sisters-in-law Bobbie (Donald) Cicenas and Henrietta Fancher; brothers-in-law Dick Templin and Buddy (Lori) Templin, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Watson and Edythe Francis; his brothers, Gary and Larry; and his first wife of fifty-two years, Irene Francis.
A visitation will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Southside Church of Nazarene, 2515 E. Thompson Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46227. A Celebration of Life will be held immediately after the visitation at 6:00 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made by mail to the Indy Southside Hope Pantry at 2515 E. Thompson Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46227, or envelopes will be available at the church.
Friends may share a memory or condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com.
Arrangements are being handled by Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory in Greenfield.