Fortified with the Sacraments of the Holy Mother Church, and surrounded by the love of his family, Bud went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on August 17, 2020 at the age of 89.
Bud is the beloved Husband of Margaret Mary “Peggy” Decker (nee Schien). Dear father of Michael (Debbie), James (Kathy), Karen (Roland) Lettner, and Margaret. Cherished grandfather of Tom(Alexis), Jim, Margaret “Peggy”, Joe, Erika, and Katarina.
Bud was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Edwin Denver Decker and Esther E Decker (nee Bodeman), the older of 2 siblings. Preceded in death by his dear wife Peggy and his sister Mary. Survived by his children and grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In 1951 Bud married his teenage sweetheart Peggy. Bud and Peggy settled in St. Dismas Parish in Florissant, MO. Peggy and Bud worked at McDonnell Aircraft Company. When their children were born Peggy devoted her time to family and church, while Bud completed 30+ years at “Mac” as he always called McDonnell-Douglas (later Boeing) while also participating in many St. Dismas Church activities such as being on the parish council and serving as the quartermaster of Boy Scout Troop 713.
Bud was nearly 90 when he passed and always spoke fondly of his time at “Mac” and his time in the U.S. Air Force. Too young for WWII, he enlisted in the USAF as soon as he turned 17 and served as a military policeman (MP) in Wyoming and in Germany 1948-49 during the Berlin Airlift. He then changed specialties to be a B-29 mechanic, serving in Alaska and later in Puerto Rico where Peggy was able to join him. He went to college on the GI Bill and worked as an engineer for McDonnell-Douglas, mainly working on fighter/attack jets his whole career.
Heyward went by “Bud” because he never cared for “Heyward.” Family lore states that back in the day when fathers didn’t go into the delivery room his father was in the lobby reading “Last of the Mohicans,” a book where British Major Heyward is a bad guy up until the end. His father got to the end where Major Heyward became the hero right when a nurse with a “Kendal” name tag came out and said “it’s a boy, what name do you want on the birth certificate? “ His father said “Heyward Kendal Decker,” and when his mother found out she was reportedly surprised.
Services at KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL 10151 Gravois on Monday, August 24 at 11:30 Interment with military honors at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. (cemetery limits attendance to 50)
Visitation at KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL, Sunday , August 23 from 4-7 pm
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association alz.org appreciated.
Covid-19 guidelines limit is 50 people in Decker parlor/chapel at any one time. Please practice social distancing and masks are required.