Walter R. 'Bud' Warren

A celebration of life is 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Crossroads Church of the Nazarene, 1788 Pinenut Road, for 20-year Gardnerville resident Walter R. "Bud" Warren, 88, who died in the presence of his family Feb. 8, 2010.

Born June 4, 1921, in Olustee, Okla., to Walter and Mary Warren, he served honorably in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the destroyer USS Mugford in the Pacific theater from 1942-45. His ship survived being hit by a Japanese kamikaze during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Unable to repair the ship in New Zealand, the Mugford sailed to San Diego, Calif., under its own power. While the ship was being repaired, Mr. Warren took leave and went to Bellflower, Calif., where he met and married his wife of 65 years, Doris. After a brief honeymoon and a trip to Oklahoma, he reported back to the Mugford and returned to combat.

After the Navy, Mr. Warren worked several jobs before entering the pipe trades in Southern California. He was a journeyman plumber for 35 years, before he retired. The couple moved to Gardnerville in 1990.

Mr. Warren was a charter member of the Norwalk Church of the Nazarene in Norwalk, Calif. He served as Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, and an usher. As head usher, he greeted everyone with a smile and a handshake.

Interment will follow services at the Veterans National Cemetery in Fernley.