Albert "Bud" DeWayne Witt

May 24, 1943 - July 9, 2019

Albert “Bud” Witt, age 76, of Tracy, passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at his home in Tracy, Iowa. Bud was born on Monday, May 24, 1943, in Ottumwa, Iowa, the son of Michael Albert and Roberta Ellen (Bogard) Witt. He attended school in Oskaloosa. He was united in marriage to Joyce Stocker on September 15, 1961. To this union four children were born, Debbie, Shari, Kevin and Bryon. They later divorced. In 1970 he was united in marriage to Caroline Ladely. To this union three children were born, Carla, Teresa and Tony. They shared over 45 years of marriage together until Caroline passed away in 2016. Early in Bud’s life he worked with his father unloading lumber out of train cars. He later took a job as a welder at Carter’s Steel in Oskaloosa. Bud worked for several coal mines in Missouri before returning to Tracy, Iowa where he continued to work in coal mines around southeast Iowa. He later began working with his brother at Witt Auto Salvage in Eddyville until retiring. Bud enjoyed woodworking, building race cars and trailers, riding 4-wheelers, raising his parrots, and working in the yard. He was a very talented handyman and wasn’t afraid of hard work. His family includes six children, Shari (Frank) Riner of Carthage, Missouri, Kevin (Paula) Hershey of Carthage, Missouri, Bryon (Connie) Hershey of Oskaloosa, Carla Ladely (Burke Ruby) of Ottumwa, Teresa Bunnell of Oskaloosa, and Tony (Missy) Witt of Oskaloosa; 22 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; his brothers, Mark (Nancy) Witt of Eddyville and Leon (Liz) Witt of California; a sister, Sue Brown of Utah; several nieces and nephews, is best friend, Bill Myers and his pet bird, Carol. In addition to his wife Caroline, Bud was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Debbie Witt; a grandson, C.J. Cortez; his brothers, Ken Bogard, Larry Witt, Jerry Witt, Roger Witt, Norman Witt and Paul Witt; his sisters, Hattie Lesher, Patricia Hampton and Doris Hampton and a nephew, Tony Atchison. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 12, 2019 at the Bates Funeral Chapel beginning after 12 noon with the family being present from 5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. to greet friends and relatives. As was Bud’s wish, his body will be cremated following the visitation and a private family burial will be held at a later date. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Albert “Bud” Witt Memorial Fund.