Cover photo for Edward E. Wolfford's Obituary
Edward E. Wolfford Profile Photo
1929 Edward 2017

Edward E. Wolfford

March 19, 1929 — June 29, 2017

Edward Eugene (Buddy) Wolfford
Buddy Wolfford, 88, of Orange peacefully received his wings on June 29, 2017 at his home with his family by his side.

A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday July 1, 2017, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Orange, TX with Father Joseph P. Daleo celebrating. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Orange with full military honors.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., with a rosary at 6:00 p.m., on June 30, 2017 at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, TX.

Buddy was born in Orange, Texas on March 19, 1929. He was the second son of seven siblings of Liles and Emily Wolfford. Buddy is preceded in death by his parents, Liles and Emily (Spiares) Wolfford, his first wife, Betty Dorman, his brother, Liles Wolfford Jr., and his two sisters, Leatrice (Wolfford) Lee and Juanita (Wolfford) Arnaud.

He is survived by his wife, Verona Kate (Bourdier) Wolfford of over 62 years and their four sons, Wayne Wolfford and wife Judy, Stephen Wolfford and wife Kimberly, Kevin Wolfford and wife Jen, and Greg Wolfford and wife Staci; his ten grandchildren, Brandon Wolfford, Trent Wolfford, Kara (Wolfford) Ricks, Luke Wolfford, Tyler Wolfford, Garrett Wolfford, Clint Wolfford, Kaitlin Wolfford, Kirsten Wolfford, Byron Wolfford; his 15 great-grandchildren; his brother, Roland Wolfford and his wife, Shirley; and his sister, Jeanette Wolfford Frederick.

Buddy was born and raised in the Cove, where at a young age of twelve he started working in the Evergreen Cemetery, digging graves and mowing the cemetery lawn with a no power push lawn mower for $1.00 a day. After this, he went to work at Consolidated Steel at the age of thirteen. He was a member of the Lutcher Stark Band where he played the coronet and later it was called the Bengal Laucers. Buddy never had a chance to finish school, leaving in 8th grade to work to support his Mother and family. He was very close to his little brother, Roland, and he made sure he was always taken care of. He worked at the shipyard until he married Betty Dorman with whom he had a son - Walter Wayne Wolfford. After an unfortunate illness she passed away at age 20 on February 5th, 1950. Buddy then enlisted into the USS Navy and began his service for his country in the Korean war on January 5, 1951. He was very proud of his Navy service, serving on the USS Small & USS Kidd, which is now stationed in Baton Rouge.

In early 1954, while on leave, he met his soon-to-be wife Verona Kate Bourdier. She was visiting her grandma Simar’s house in the Cove from Iota, Louisiana. Buddy was honorably discharged from the Navy on October 5, 1954 remaining in the Reserves until January 5, 1955. Buddy married Kate on February 5, 1955 in Iota, Louisiana at St. Joseph Catholic Church. The two bought a house in West Orange on 1528 Mustang Street.

Buddy began working at Spencer Chemical in Orange, TX which later became Gulf/Chevron. He worked as a Process A Operator in the steam boiler area, a skill he acquired in the Navy. On March 16, 1990, he retired from Gulf/Chevron after 35 years, but continued to serve his family, friends and community for many years.

As a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Buddy served both the church and St. Mary School faithfully for many years. He was a member of the first Jr. High School Board and athletic board for baseball, football and basketball. He annually assisted in the St. Mary School Festival, and could repair nearly anything at St. Mary School. He received the Bishop’s Medal for outstanding contributions to the Diocese, served at the soup kitchen in the parish hall where he was a member of the Grumpy Old Men Group and served as an usher for mass, particularly funeral masses. He assisted in building the Wesco Little League baseball park and became a board member with the League. Additionally, he committed many hours to the building of the Lion’s Den Park in Orange and was a member of the VFW & served on the CERA board and cared for the facility and grounds for decades.

Quite simply, whenever someone needed help, Buddy was there. He often said, “I am a jack of all trades, but a master of none.” In his family and friends’ eyes, he was always there to help and knew exactly how to get the job done. His legacy of service will remain with the community and his devotion and love will remain with his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made out to St. Mary School Fund, 2600 Bob Hall Rd, Orange, TX 77630, and Southeast Texas Hospice, 912 W Cherry Ave, Orange, TX 77630.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Edward E. Wolfford, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Friday, June 30, 2017

5:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)

Claybar Funeral Home Orange

504 5th Street, Orange, TX 77630

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Rosary

Friday, June 30, 2017

Starts at 6:00 pm (Central time)

Claybar Funeral Home Orange

504 5th Street, Orange, TX 77630

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Mass of Christian Burial

Saturday, July 1, 2017

Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)

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Burial

Saturday, July 1, 2017

Starts at 11:30 am (Central time)

St. Mary Catholic Cemetery

, Orange, TX

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