William Marion "Bud" Pope

William Marion “Bud” Pope, 91, of Kannapolis died Thursday, August 29, 2019 at the W. G. Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at Carolina Memorial Park at 2:00 PM Thursday, September 5 with Rev. Willie Rash officiating. His family will receive friends at Whitley’s Funeral Home from 1:00 to 1:45 PM Thursday prior to the graveside service.

Bud was born January 16, 1928 in Abingdon VA, a son of the late William Luther and Ada May Miller Pope. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Wanda, his son William Luther (Billy) Pope, his sister Frances Tate, his brother Doug Pope and his favorite Aunt Flossie Bailey. Those remaining to cherish his memory include his sister Vivian Perkins of Kannapolis and many loving nieces and nephews.

Bud moved to this area as a child when his parents came to work in the mill. He joined the US Navy, serving during WWII. Bud then joined the US Army retiring after 17 years of service as a mechanic, achieving the rank of Sergeant. After his retirement from the Army, Bud worked for Cannon Mills, as a mechanic, for many years before retiring again. He was known for his love of buying and selling cars and was called “Sarge” by many of his friends. He was dearly loved by his family and friends and will be deeply missed.

Online condolences can be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com and memorial donations can be made in his name to The Liberty Lane Hospice House, 1601 Brenner Ave. Salisbury NC 28144