Wilbur Owen “Bud” Alexander, 98, of Houstonia, was received into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at The Living Center in Marshall.
He was born September 3, 1927, at his childhood home in Saline County, near Longwood, the son of Rodney William and Mary Evelyne (Walk) Alexander. On June 10, 1950, in Kaiser, MO, he married Nellie Joan Dial, and they resided in rural Houstonia all of their married life of 74 years.
Bud attended the elementary schools of Fairplay and Lost Corner (Shackleford) and graduated from Hughesville High School in 1945.
He was baptized at Berea Christian Church as a boy and renewed his baptism in the Lamine River near Shackleford as a teenager. Bud joined Range Line Presbyterian Church in rural Houstonia in October of 1948 and was a very active member where he served in many positions, including deacon, elder, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School superintendent and he chaired the annual Lord’s Acre Sale for many years. He served the Lord Jesus Christ with all of his heart and shared that love with others.
In 1946, at the age of 18, he was drafted into the United States Army and served at the end of World War II, during the Occupation of Japan. He worked as a tele-type operator in the same building as General Douglas MacArthur. After serving approximately 2 years, he returned home to begin farming.
Bud bought farmland in Pettis County which he lived on and farmed until 4 months before his passing. He has passed on his love of farming to his sons. Not only was Bud a farmer, he loved to play, watch and coach softball and baseball. He loved all sports. He became the Commissioner of the Tri-County League for over 30 years and could be found at a ball diamond every night of the week in the summer. He could quote stats and remember scores of many of the games he coached up until his passing. He recalled his softball players with fondness. Bud would leave the field early to be able to coach his next ball game. He also attended many, if not all, of his children’s games and several of his grandchildren’s games. He loved sitting on bleachers at the ball field at Houstonia, or at the top of the seats in the gymnasium at Northwest High School and cheer on the home team. If they had an away game, he would be sure to listen to it on the radio. He also enjoyed going to the sale barn and visiting with his many friends there. No one was a stranger to Bud.
In addition to his many church duties and his coaching, he served as a school board member for nine years at Pettis County R-V.
Survivors include his children, Vicky Saylor (Terry), Becky Reid (fiancé Russ Zimmerman), all of Sweet Springs, Ricky Alexander (Tosha) of Concordia, Tony Alexander (Jennifer) of Houstonia, son-in-law Larry McDonald of Jefferson City; 15 grandchildren, Casey Baker (Kyle), Deven McDonald (Mandy), Troy Saylor, Stacy Marlin (Chris), Travis Reid (Whitney), Nathan Reid (Bethany), Chantry Alexander, Jodie Akers (Steven), Emmett Paul Alexander, Will Alexander (Lynn), Cole Alexander (Destiny), Caitlin Alexander, Tiffany Edwards (Jordan), Kasey Elling and Breanna Elling; 24 great-grandchildren, Nolan, Reece, Mason Baker, Ailyn McDonald, Hayleigh Mattes (Bryce), Kendall and Elijah Marlin, Easton, Emerson, Alaythia, Eliyanah, Micah, Ava and Creighton Reid, Conn Alexander, Jasper Parker, Felicity and Corben Akers, Charlotte Rose and Lincoln Alexander, Olivia Edwards, Asher Huddleston, Oaklynn and Hudson Reade and a great grandson on the way; two sisters, Elsie Simmons and Helen Pummill, and many nieces and nephews; his first great-great grandson will be arriving in a few weeks.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan, his daughter, Kathy McDonald, his parents, his sister Lydia Jane Kearney.
Visitation will begin at 10:00 am Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Heckart Funeral Home with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 am with Pastor Mary Williams officiating.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, Troy Saylor, Deven McDonald, Travis Reid, Nathan Reid, Chantry Alexander, Will Alexander, Cole Alexander, and Emmett Paul Alexander. Honorary pallbearers will be his granddaughters, Casey Baker, Stacy Marlin, Jodie Akers, Caitlin Alexander, Tiffany Edwards, Kasey and Breanna Elling.
Burial will be in Miller’s Chapel Cemetery in rural Pettis County.
The family suggest memorial contributions to Show Me Christian Youth Home, Range Line Presbyterian Church or Miller’s Chapel Cemetery in care of Heckart Funeral Home.