Jul 29, 2011 2 min read

Charles ‘Chuck/Bud’ Wilson, 69, died on Thursday, July 21, 2011 following an accident on the Blue Ridge Parkway at The Quarry Overlook.

Those who knew Chuck will lovingly remember his passion for the outdoors, his love of animals, his devotion to family and his strong convictions from which he never waivered.

Charles is survived by his wife of 25 years, Kay Ellen of Roanoke; his brother, Donald of Hardy; and his sisters Verna Palko of San Bernardino, California, Susan Partridge of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, Deborah Walters of Montclair, California and Cynthia Billings of Upland, California.

He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Wilhimena, a sister Karen and his beloved cat Jake.

Chuck served in the United States Air Force. He retired as a supervisor in 1989 from American Telephone and Telegraph Company in Herndon, Virginia. He and Kay moved to Smith Mountain Lake in 1997 where he was an active member of the Friends of the Smith Mountain Lake State Park until 2003 when they relocated to Botetourt County.

Chuck loved to walk and savor the abounding beauty of nature on the Blue Ridge Parkway. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements by OAKEY’S EAST CHAPEL AND CREMATORY, 540-977-3909.