MADERA - The owner of Madera's hardware store, General Builders Supply,  passed away Sunday at the age of 91. Mr. H.B. “Bud” Smith, Jr.,  a native of Bradford, Arkansas and a resident of Madera since 1947, was a member of the First Christian Church in Madera and served as a member of the California National Guard at the Merced Unit for 10 years.

In 1947 after he moved to Madera from Arkansas he was introduced to a lovely young woman, Betty Creamer, as a 16 year old she was young and beautiful, Bud was a wise 17 year old and made sure she was home by 10 pm or there would be no date the following Saturday. They were married on September 3, 1949 and have enjoyed 72 years of life together.

After marriage they lived in Madera, then Los Banos then back to Madera in 1960 to become the General Manager and Bookkeeper for Emilio Pistoresi at the car dealership. In 1968, he became a co-owner of Smith-Volpa Dodge in Madera. He was a Farmers Insurance Agent as well. In 1977 he became the owner of General Builders Supply “GBS” where he still considered himself a Bookkeeper!

He enjoyed Golfing at the Muni and fulfilled his boyhood dream of obtaining his pilots license. He was the past President of the Noon Lions Club and in 2012 received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Madera Chamber of Commerce.

Bud is preceded by his Parents, Herbert Brown Smith, Sr. and Ola Summerford Smith along with his three sisters and a brother.

He is survived by his bride of 72 years Betty Smith of Madera and two sons, Gary Smith and his wife Sue of Fresno, Dennis Smith of Madera. Bud was blessed with four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Visitation will begin Monday, January 24, 2022 at 2:00 pm at Jay Chapel and conclude at 7:00 pm.

Services will be Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 11:00 am at Jay Chapel with entombment to follow at Arbor Vitae Cemetery Mausoleum.

Remembrances may be made to the First Christian Church, 2300 Sunset Ave., Madera, CA 93637