Vernon Albright
Funeral services were held Friday, April 9, 2010, at First Lutheran Church in Willow City, for Vernon “Bud” Albright, 90, of Willow City, who died Sunday, April 4 at a Minot hospital.
Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Willow City.
Bud was born Feb. 27, 1920, on a farm south of Overly, a son of William and Clara (Nelson) Albright. At a young age he moved with his family to a farm north of Willow City. He attended school in Willow City, graduating in 1938. In 1940, he joined a flying club and earned his pilot license. He moved to Los Angeles in 1941 and worked for the Douglas Aircraft Company. He married Marian Cooke on Dec. 7, 1941, at Las Vegas. On Feb. 14, 1945, he joined the Army-Airforce. He served in England with the 8th Airforce where he worked as a mechanic on the P-51 Mustang fighter plane. Following his discharge in 1946, he moved back to the family farm and began farming. In 1952, he and his brother started Albright’s Spraying Service which they operated for 36 years.
He was a member of First Lutheran Church and the American Legion, both of Willow City. He served on the Willow City School Board and the Farmers Elevator Board. He helped organize the first rural fire department in Willow City, and helped develop senior housing there. He served as a Bottineau County Commissioner for 12 years and was president of the Willow City Alumni Association and the Community Club. He was also co-chairman of the Willow City Centennial Committee. He was one of five who opened and operated the Farm Supply Hardware in Willow City and the Willow City Seed House.
He is survived by his wife, Marian; a daughter, Mary Lynn Solberg of Kingwood, Texas; a son, Gary of Mohall; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a sister, Luella Thompson of St. Cloud, Minn.; and other relatives.
Rev. Tim Solberg officiated. Music was provided Martha Larson, organist.
Casketbearers were Scott Solberg, Jeff Solberg, Cory Albright, Eugene Erdman, Shane Eraas, and Robert Albright.
Arrangements by Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau.