Ernst Watson "Bud" Farley III

Bud Farley died in his sleep on November 18 at age 76. Back in 1949 the doctor penned "Ernst Watson Farley III" on the birth certificate, but he was "Bud" to his family and to any friend with a problem that his genius for understanding motors could solve.

An early indication of his aptitude-five year old Bud found and replaced the hidden distributor cap to start the tractor on the family's farm. The consequence: a quarter and a spanking (in the days when a quarter was worth something and spankings were a fact of life in a boy's upbringing). Many years later, when a handicap van's electrical system failed, trapping his brother-in-law in the driver seat, Bud was there in minutes, standing in the rain under an umbrella, head deep under the hood until the van came to life and his brother-in-law was freed.

Ever a free spirit and averse to any restraint, four year old Bud found his mother's pocketbook and was headed to the shops on Cary Street until spotted and brought home by the postman. His restless feet and love of adventure did not stop there, but that's a longer story.

In later years with his shock of white hair and beard, looking like the Miller & Rhoads Santa, Bud was generous and in turn was generously supported by his brothers and sisters and his good friend Norton Lauher. Generous also with advice and a philosophy of living in the moment, he once stopped a nephew, raised his index finger, and said "Hey, this IS it." When a late life stroke largely silenced his voice, if not his smile, Bud talked with those words that remained along with his expressive and capable hands.

Bud was predeceased by his parents Ernst and Lucille Farley and his sister Beauchamp Payne and is survived by sisters Marion Macdonald, Maude Baltzegar, Widget Williams and Lucy Coates, and his brothers Felix, Robert and John Swift Farley; also many cousins, brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and many friends who shared his love and life. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., January 10 at St. Mathew's Church 1101 Forest Ave, Henrico with Celebration of Life to follow.