Leon J. "Bud" Smith Memorial Service

Leon J. "Bud" Smith, 69, of Hanover, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York. He was the loving fiancé of Virginia A. Stultz.

Born May 3, 1953 in Littlestown, he was a son of the late Francis P. and Helen L. (Schlaline) Smith.

Bud was a dedicated member of the New Oxford Social Club, Mcsherrystown Moose, The Eagles Club, Hanover Home Association, and the Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association. He loved attending tractor shows and was a frequent member Twin Bridges Tractor Club. He had a deep love for camping, vacationing in Florida, and spending time with his family and friends. Mr. Smith was the owner of Buds Auto Sales in New Oxford for over 20 years and he was very well known and loved by many.

In addition to his fiancé, Bud is survived by two children, Tammy Andrews Carr of Surprise, AZ, Andy Smith and his wife Patricia of Dallastown; three grandchildren, Brandon Andrews, Kaitlyn Andrews, and Teddy Carr; two stepchildren Amanda and Joshua; eight siblings, Barb Gotwalt and her husband Robert, William "Bill" Smith and his wife Bev, Helen Lentz and her husband Rod, Linus "Boze" Smith, Mary Roberts and her husband Randy, Dennis "Brown" Smith and his wife Rhonda, Edward "Tank" Smith, Lori Cnota and many more loving family members and friends.

In addition to his parents, Bud was preceded in death by four siblings, Emily Stewart, Loretta Gebhart, Bernard "Bernie" Smith and Frank E. "Smitty" Smith.

There will be no public viewing. Following cremation, a memorial service to celebrate the life of Leon J. "Bud" Smith will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at the Wetzel Funeral Home and Crematory, 549 Carlisle St., Hanover, PA with Rev. Dr. Kathy Vitalis Hoffman officiating. A time to share memories with the family will be on Saturday from 1 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that you plant a tree and say a prayer in Bud's memory.

To share memories of Leon J. "Bud" Smith, please visit www.wetzelfuneralhome.com .

Letter from Bud's Daughter

Due to unforeseen circumstances, I could not make it happen for my return to Pa in time.  I am sad that I will miss seeing everyone who loved my father and came today to share memories together.

Every parent knows how hard it could be to parent the "you" out of your child.  When I was born, I tested every fiber of my father's being.  I love my father and he loved me.  I say this because we were always trying to find middle ground with one another. From the day I was born, I changed his world.  He was a smoker and drank too, but he gave those up to make our home a better place.

I learned at an early age to not spend any time doing my hair cause my father would be taking us on a Sunday drive in the dune buggy with that top down.  Which meant my hair would be a rat's nest, but it sure was fun to sit in the back of the pink dune buggy rolling down the winding curvy roads soaking up the sunshine and natural beauty. I loved the Sunday drives but man, I would get ready cause I was a girl who wanted to be pretty, and bam I could be a mess in one mile.

My birthday, also known as my national holiday, because it was between Christmas and New Year's, without fail my father always remembered which makes my heart sing.  As with every child/parent, our relationship was tested many times (we were so much alike), but we were fortunately able to find that middle ground (which so many don't). We were able to see the gift of each other.

Though he was a private man, he had an uncanny ability to make friends everywhere he went.  My father was always helping someone and taught me so many things.  Like, it's ok to get your hands dirty because you could always wash them. Seriously?! Not to a girl (with laughter).  He shared his gifts and passion of fixing anything from cars, tractors, to whatever was broken, because he could never just throw something away.  I could call him anytime and he always had a solution to my problem.  He was so resourceful and could make things better in an instant.

When he wasn't under the hood of a car, he was camping in the mountains sitting by a fire sharing stories and eating his favorites, like cherry pies or homemade chocolate chip cookies.  My father was a force to be reckoned with as he never knew how to sit still and rest.

I am forever thankful he was in this world.

Dad, I know that you will continue to protect me even though you're not here.  I will always love and miss you, until we meet again.

Love leaves a memory no one can steal, but death leaves a memory no one can heal.