William R. “Bud” Phelps

William R. “Bud” Phelps

  ARKPORT-William R. “Bud” Phelps, 87, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 5, 2022) at his home on Briggs Road (Town of Fremont), doing what he loved.

Born in North Hornell on Nov. 24, 1934, he was the son of the late Clayton and Charlotte (Sager) Phelps. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by one daughter, Loretta Phelps Rowe; and his sister, Irene Floyd.

A lifelong resident of the Arkport area, Bud was a graduate of Arkport Central School.

In 1965 he established William R. Phelps Construction, Inc. and after “semi retiring” he was employed as a bus driver for Covered Wagon Tours in Hornell.

Bud was an antique car enthusiast and was especially fond of Cadillacs. He meticulously maintained the cars he owned to their original appearance. Throughout the years he participated in many antique auto shows and was a recipient of numerous awards and trophies. Bud was a member of the Antique Automobile Club of America and the Chemung Valley Region Antique Automobile Car Club of America.

An avid fisherman, he especially enjoyed spending the winter months at his home that he built in Lecanto, Fl.  Bud attended the Hornell United Methodist Church and served on the Fremont Town Board for eight years and was a former member and past president of the Arkport Fire Department.

He is survived by his wife, Marie (Sampson) Phelps; his partner for the past 22 years, Carol Burns; seven children, Edward (Janice) Phelps of Arkport, Linda (Al) Toronto of Milford, MA, William J. (Amber) Phelps of Arkport; Lisa (Chris) Thompson of Utah, John (Julieann) Phelps of Ballston Lake, NY, Jessica (Greg) Williams of Mississauga, Canada and Miranda Rowe of Colombia, SC; 25 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren; also surviving are Carol’s children, Alane (Tom), Pamela (Joseph) and Jonathan (Domenica); her grandchildren; and Carol’s siblings, Lowell (Bonnie) Smith, Marcia (Albert) Burns, Joanne (Roger) Williamson, and Dale (Lucy) Smith; as well as two nieces and several cousins.

Calling hours are 4-7 p.m. Monday (Oct. 10, 2022) at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday (Oct. 11, 2022) with the Rev. Lenny Fuller officiating. Committal services and interment will follow at Heritage Hill Cemetery, Arkport.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to either the Fremont Fire Dept., P.O Box 462, Arkport, NY 14807 or the Hornell United Methodist Church, 7528 North Main St. Ext., Hornell, NY 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.

The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home is honored to assist Bud’s family with the arrangements.

Online condolences or remembrances of Bud are welcome below in the comment section or at www.bishopdesanto.com.