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Walter M “Bud” Moore Obituary

Walter Maynard “Bud” Moore, Jr., 92, of Spartanburg, SC, died Monday, November 27, 2017, at Spartanburg Medical Center. A native of Spartanburg, Bud was born on May 25, 1925 to the late Walter Maynard “Dick” Moore, Sr. and Myrtle Mooneyham Moore. He was married to the late Betty Clark Moore for 64 years.

After graduating from high school Bud joined the military in 1943 as a machine gunner, assigned to the 90th Infantry Division which landed on Utah Beach in France on June 6, 1944. His unit was attached to General George W. Patton’s “Third Army” which followed him across Europe on the way to defeating Hitler’s armies. He was decorated with five Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars (the second with clusters).

Upon returning home from the war, Bud who always referred to himself as “a country mechanic who loved to make ‘em run fast” became a championship NASCAR car owner winning 63 times and finished 298 and 463 times respectively among the top five and top 10 while building cars for 43 of the sports most talented drivers. His first championship came in 1957 as crew chief for driver Buck Baker, followed by championships for Bud Moore Engineering in 1962 and 1963 with driver Joe Weatherly.

In the late 1960’s, he built Mercury Cougars and Ford Mustangs to run the car manufacturer’s Trans-Am Series, winning the 1970 championship with driver Parnelli Jones.

Over the years Bud received many awards, but his greatest accomplishment was being inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2011 during its second year of existence.

Survivors include his sons, Daryl (Carol), Brent (Nancy), and Greg (Roberta); grandchildren: Melissa Moore Padgett (Tommy), Candace Moore Glover (Tommy), Benjamin Moore (Kristen), Thomas Moore, and Brittany Moore; along with seven great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; his brothers, Ralph, Bill, and Richard Moore; and sister, Ann Moore Elder. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by his brothers, Charles, Cecil and Donald Moore; and sisters, Edith Moore Gregory and Helen Moore McKinney.

Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 PM Friday, December 1, 2017, at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29307. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Saturday, December 2, 2017, at First Baptist Church North Spartanburg, 8740 Asheville Hwy, Spartanburg, SC 29316, by The Rev. James L. Oliver, Mr. Winston Kelley, and Mr. Mike Helton. Entombment, with military rites, will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Complex, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29307.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Victory Junction, 4500 Adam’s Way, Randleman, NC 27317; Hearing Charities of America, Hearing Aid Project, 1912 East Meyer Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64132; or Wounded Warrior Project-Donate, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.

Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel

Photos from the Furmel

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Bud Moore Engineering Racing