Bernard F. “Bud” Wilkes, Jr. passed away June 22, 2016. Bud was born on July 8, 1941, to Bernard F. Wilkes, Sr., and Clara K. (Kielbasa) Wilkes in Hatfield, Massachusetts.

He graduated from Smith Academy in 1959 and attended Norwich University, Class of 1963, earning a degree in business administration. While attending Norwich University he was a member of the Governor of Vermont’s Honor Guard for the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army eventually serving 31 years both active and reserve duty retiring with the rank of Colonel in 1993. He earned a Master in Business Administration from Western New England College in 1993. He was mobilized by the Army Reserve, as the Commander of the 484^th Military Intelligence Detachment, for a posting at the Pentagon, for Operation Desert Shield/Storm in 1990-1991.

He is survived by his wife, Angelina H. Wilkes; his uncle, Stanley Kielbasa and his wife Lu of Amherst, Massachusetts; his brother Martin Wilkes and his wife Ann of Australia; his children: Bernard F. Wilkes III, of Belchertown, Massachusetts, Marcus M. Wilkes and his wife Debbie of Falls Church, Virginia; Daniel J. Wilkes and his wife Mel of Orlando, Florida; Timothy P. Halpin of Martinsville Virginia, Patricia A. Halpin and her husband Tim Fleury of Sunapee NH, Mary B. Halpin and her husband Brendan Price of West Roxbury Massachusetts and Jeffrey D. Halpin of Brooklyn NY. Also numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews.

He was a member of American Legion Post 344, Hatfield, Massachusetts.

He was a member of the Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers and the League of New Hampshire Craftsman.

Bud was the founder, owner, and sole luthier of White Eagle Guitars, Sunapee, New Hampshire.

He was a former President of the Pioneer Valley Association (Massachusetts) from 1980 – 1985; member of the Governor’s Tourism Council from 1980 – 1985; the former Vice-Chairman. Board of Selectmen for the Town of Belchertown from1976 – 1978; former Police Commissioner for the Town of Belchertown, 1976 – 1978.

Former Commandant of the First Army Reserve Forces School – Intelligence, Fort Devens, Massachusetts.

In 1999, upon retirement, he realized his dreams when he retired to Lake Sunapee, NH.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Norwich University in Bud’s name.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, June 28, 2016 from 5:00-7:00PM at the Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, June 29, at 10:00AM at St. Brigid’s Church in Amherst, burial with military honors will follow at Holy Rosary Cemetery in Hadley.

Bernard F. “Bud” Wilkes, Jr. passed away June 22, 2016. Bud was born on July 8, 1941, to Bernard F. Wilkes, Sr., and Clara K. (Kielbasa) Wilkes in Hatfield, Massachusetts.

He graduated from Smith Academy in 1959 and attended Norwich University, Class of 1963, earning a degree in business administration. While attending Norwich University he was a member of the Governor of Vermont’s Honor Guard for the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army eventually serving 31 years both active and reserve duty retiring with the rank of Colonel in 1993. He earned a Master in Business Administration from Western New England College in 1993. He was mobilized by the Army Reserve, as the Commander of the 484^th Military Intelligence Detachment, for a posting at the Pentagon, for Operation Desert Shield/Storm in 1900-1991.

He is survived by his wife, Angelina H. Wilkes; his uncle, Stanley Kielbasa of Amherst, Massachusetts; his brother Martin Wilkes of Australia; his three children: Bernard F. Wilkes III, of Belchertown, Massachusetts, Marcus M. Wilkes of Falls Church, Virginia; and Daniel J. Wilkes of Orlando, Florida; numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, step children and step grandchildren.

He was a member of American Legion Post 344, Hatfield, Massachusetts.

He was a member of the Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers and the League of New Hampshire Craftsman.

Bud was the founder, owner, and sole luthier of White Eagle Guitars, Sunapee, New Hampshire.

He was a former President of the Pioneer Valley Association (Massachusetts) from 1980 – 1985; member of the Governor’s Tourism Council from 1980 – 1985; the former Vice-Chairman. Board of Selectmen for the Town of Belchertown from1976 – 1978; former Police Commissioner for the Town of Belchertown, 1976 – 1978.

Former Commandant of the First Army Reserve Forces School – Intelligence, Fort Devens, Massachusetts.

In 1999, upon retirement, he realized his dreams when he retired to Lake Sunapee, NH.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Norwich University in Bud’s name.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, June 28, 2016 from 5:00-7:00PM at the Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, June 29, at 10:00AM at St. Brigid’s Church in Amherst, burial with military honors will follow at Holy Rosary Cemetery in Hadley.