Alton Ray "Bud" Wall

Alton Ray “Bud” Wall, 84, of Pendleton, passed away peacefully, November 26, 2025. Bud was born to the late Arthur Alton and Laura Inez (Galyan) Wall, on April 30, 1941, at home deep in the hills of Bloomington, Indiana. When he turned 10 years old, his father took a new job at the Pendleton Reformatory and moved the family to Pendleton, Indiana. As a young child his siblings and he were encouraged by their father to begin playing an instrument and boy did that take off like wildfire! Bud began playing the mandolin and then eventually he learned the guitar. His sister was on the upright base and his younger brother Jim started on the violin and then he also played the banjo. With all of this talent between them they had put together their own family band. Their first and biggest fan was their youngest brother Melvin. Bud began school in Pendleton but in order to help his family, his education was interrupted by joining the work force. In his youth Bud mowed grass and did lawn work along with working at Christie’s Restaurant as a grill cook. In the summer of 1962, on July 28th, Bud married Peggy Scott. Bud and Peggy were married for 53 years, until her passing in 2015. They had two children, David and Susie, that they lost way too soon.

All this hard work laid the foundation of his steadfast work ethic and dedication to providing for his loved ones. Bud’s first full time job was at Wills & Son Pole Power Line Construction. He gained the knowledge and expertise as an electrician to begin a new job at Hatfield Electric, until work decreased. When he had to move on he became a lineman at United Phone Company. Bud had a clear line of right and wrong. And that drove his passion to work in law enforcement. This passion set in motion a career at the Pendleton Police Department where he became Town Marshall from 1972-1973 and continued to be the Chief from 1973-1977. He drove a truck for a bit for himself then he moved on to operate heavy equipment for Keno Construction. In 1980, Bud took a position at St. John’s Hospital as a security guard, and he remained there for 15 years while also working security at Duke’s Truck Center in Anderson. Two full time jobs was not enough for him so he also started a part time career at McCallister and Associates as a private investigator. Finally, after 40 years, he retired from Carter Express at the feisty age of 80.

When Bud wasn’t working, this man was holding a fishing pole with any one who’d sit quietly. He also enjoyed hunting, often traveling to Minnesota to his cabin or to southern Indiana with family and friends to make the stories and memories only they will ever know. Often taking his only grandson, David Wall and teaching him all his fishing spots and hunting tricks. Through all his life no matter how much he was working or caring for his family and friends, the man could play a guitar so effortlessly. Bud started playing in a Rock ’n’ Roll band called the Intruders in the 1960’s then he joined the band the Tennessee Valley Boys in the 1970’s, playing bluegrass and country music. One of the highlights of his travels with the band was getting to play at the Ryman Auditorium. Always teaching and playing, sometimes, if we begged we could hear Bud’s Boogie. The room would go silent, and everyone would hold their breath until the first note was picked…yes, picked because he finger picked a guitar, like a master. Many probably don’t know that the gambling bug also bit Bud. He travelled to Las Vegas for many trips. One trip the man came home with a recreational vehicle, 2 Kia Sephia’s and a purple Cadillac “the Boat Car”. Because he wanted to be comfortable to travel to the river boat. You could ask anyone who knew him, if he wasn’t at work or home, he was at a slot machine in the high roller room.

Bud was a hard man. He loved hard, he worked hard and fought hard. If he let you in, he loved and cared for you. Even if he never said it. He showed it in his own way.

Bud is survived by his grandson, David Wall (Ellie); great grandson, Theodore David Wall; girlfriend, Lee Cooley; nieces, Terrie McCorkle (Bill), Angela Jones (A.J.); nephews, Mike Wallace (Shawna), Jeff Wall (Sandy), Corey Campbell; daughter-in-law, Jodi Perkins (Randy); great-nephew, Michael Wall; great-nieces, Laura McCorkle (Steven Babcock) Ashley Edwards (Mark), Danielle Wall, Megan Hardenbrook, Mandi Baldwin (Zach), Mallory Nichols (Henry) and several great-great nieces and nephews. And long-time friend and cohort, Richard “Dick” Riley.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Peggy; son, David Lee Wall Sr.; daughter, Sue Ann Wall; sister, Martha Riley Dyal; brothers, James Wall and Melvin Wall; nephew, Jimmy Wall; great-nephew, Christopher Wall; great-niece, Alysia Wall.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by the funeral at 12:00 PM at Bozell Funeral Homes and Crematory – Lahm Chapel, 211 East State Street, Pendleton, Indiana. Burial will follow at Grovelawn Cemetery. Officiating Pastor Rod Eiler.

The family would also like to thank Bozell Funeral Homes for opening Lahm Chapel to honor Bud and his memory.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to South Madison Fire Territory, 100 South Broadway, Pendleton, Indiana 46064.