Bernie (Bud) William Eidson Jr., 73, died on Feb. 5, 2024, in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Bernie was born on March 6, 1950, in El Dorado, Kansas, the son of Bernie William Eidson Sr. and Betty Mae (Baum) Mealor.
At 18 years old, he joined the Army, serving in the Vietnam War; once he returned home, he married Janice May Fairchild on Aug. 16, 1971, in El Dorado. They later divorced.
He has two sons, Albert and Donovan.
He worked for Willbros Pipeline, drove for ABF, and had his own Stone Masonry business that he did on the side.
Bernie enjoyed going to auctions, hunting and fishing; and was a collector of Hot Wheel cars. His collection was over 7,500.
He was a big sports fan, especially football and baseball, and liked playing golf.
He is survived by his sons, Albert William (Shannon) of Checotah, Oklahoma, and Donovon Wade (Angie) Lufkin, Texas; brother, Ralph Mealor Jr. El Dorado.; sisters, Sharon (Robert) Kelsey of Wamego and Teresa (Steve) Booth of El Dorado. Grandchildren, Kash, Cameron (Rae), Tyler, Amber, and Autumn. Great-grandchildren, Sebastian, Maverick, Spencer, Ellie, Carley, Kenna, Lily, and Charlotte, and several nieces and nephews, and finally his dog, Sissy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers David, Claude and Clyde, and sisters Helen Haworth, Mildred Hensman, Opal Foster, and Wilma Butler.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego.
A visitation will occur from 10 a.m. until service time at Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego. Memorial contributions are to be determined later and can be left in the care of Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, PO Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.
