Virgil "Bud" Earl Aylor

V.E. (Bud) Aylor

Passed in peace on April 9, 2019, at his residence in the Meridian at Westwood, in Ft. Walton Beach, FL., at the age of 90.  He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Helen Elizabeth Aylor; sons, Dennis John (D.J.) Aylor and Ted Earl Aylor.  Bud is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Ann (Liz) Aylor; daughter-in-law, Joan (D.J) Aylor; granddaughter, Kristine (Zach) Short; and great grandsons, Dylan and Mitchell Short.  Bud was born in Toledo, Ohio on April 26, 1928 to Virgil Earl and Margaret Kirkham Aylor.  After graduating from Libby High School in Toledo, he joined the Marine Corps.  While serving in the Marines, Bud met his future wife, Helen, at a church dance in Oakland, California.  Following discharge from the Marine Corp, Bud and Helen married on July 11, 1948 and moved to Syracuse, New York, to work for the N.Y.C. Railroad for 15 years in several manager’s positions taking him and Helen from New York City to Buffalo.  In 1960, Bud left N.Y.C. Railroad to go into sales of locomotive components with Garlock Inc. and Durox Equipment Company until 1971.  He started his own company of Aylor and Associates while living in Strongsville, Ohio.  He continued to serve the railroad industry as a manufacturer’s Representative until his retirement at the age of 72 in 2002.  Bud enjoyed playing golf, traveling throughout the U.S. and abroad with Helen, was a season ticket holder for the Cleveland Browns games, and watched many Chicago Cubs games with his daughter, Liz, and playing cards, especially Bridge and Cribbage.  Bud was also a member of the Masonic Fraternity for over 50 years.  In the 1990’s, Bud and Helen moved from Hilton Head, S.C. to Niceville, FL to be close to their daughter, Liz.  They were members of Crosspoint United Methodist Church in Niceville.  Their final move was to the Meridian at Westwood.  Bud was a true gentleman, who always insisted on opening doors for others, pulling out the ladies chairs, letting others go in front of him, and shaking your hand to welcome you with his beautiful smile.  A day would not go by without hearing Bud tell you his special saying “Happy Days!”  Thank you and deepest gratitude to all that helped Bud through his final train ride, especially Emerald Coast Hospice and the Nursing Staff of Assisted Living at Westwood.  A “Celebration of Life” will be held on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. in the Atrium of Meridian at Westwood.  Memorials may be made in Bud's name to the charity of your choice.  Expressions of love and sympathy may be placed and viewed online at www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com

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