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Z. A. "Buz" Buckner, 82 of Billings passed away on
September 13, 2007. He was born in Huntley, Montana on June 18, 1925
to Minnie and W.A. Buckner, one of nine children.
Buz joined the U.S. Navy September of 1943, at the
age of 17. He was on a small aircraft carrier, the USS Gambier Bay.
The ship was sunk in October 1944 in the battle of Leyte Gulf in the
Pacific Ocean. After two days of surviving in shark infested waters,
he was rescued. Survivors of the Gambier Bay, which became a close
knit family, celebrate with a ship’s reunion in different cities
across the U.S. Buz was honorably discharged from the Navy on
December 23, 1945. Recommissioned to another ship in Bremerton, WA,
he met and married Norma Jean Parish, of Billings, after knowing her
for only two weeks. Subsequently, they were married for 62 years.
After the war they returned to Billings where he
worked for B.N. Transport for 35 years, where he was honored several
timed for driver of the years. He retired in 1985. He enjoyed being
a member of the Billings Boat Club. He was a life time member of the
Elk’s Club. He also belonged to the American Legion and the Search
and Rescue Scuba Diving Team. He loved
to do woodworking in his shed along with boating,
fishing, and in his earlier years was an accomplished water skier.
One of his greatest pleasures was the male bonding fishing trips to
Hebgen Lake with his grandsons, Mark and Brett.
He was preceded in death by brothers Enos and
Wiley and sister, Nell Carlstrom. He is survived by sisters Paula
Cramer (Don), Minnie Hoehn, Cassa Jane Thom, and Katherine Shaw;
brother Bill Buckner (Laura). He is also survived by daughters
Freddee Ann Wing (Ron), Linda MeKee, and Kellee Prentice (Rex); four
grandchildren, Mark (Darcy), Brett (Staci), Z. Justin, and Stacy
(Shawn); four great grandchildren, Amanda, Reese, Victoria, and
Alexis and a very special nephew, Jim Rude and his wife Jan.
A special thanks for their loving care to Ted
Vargas and Sherry Houser of Big Sky Hospice. Denise Maas and Danie
Johnson and staff of Grand Vintage Suites. He will be greatly missed
by family and friends alike.
Cremation has taken place and Memorial Services
will be held at 1:00 P.M., on Tuesday, September 18, at
Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary.
Memorials may be made to Big Sky Hospice. |