On Sunday, May 17th, 2015, the world lost one of its true heroes when Alfred A. “Buddy” Bingham Sr. went home to be with the Lord. He was born February 12, 1926 to Marion Schuessler and Annie Awbrey Bingham. At the age of 17, he joined the Navy in World War II. He was deployed overseas where his ship, LST 921, was torpedoed in the English Channel and he was severely injured. Having lost his dog tags in the blast, he was taken to a British hospital. Upon his waking, the British realized its mistake when they heard Mr. Buddy’s beautiful Southern Drawl and transferred him to an American hospital. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was awarded the Purple Heart, pronounced disabled, and told to return home. Instead, he reinlisted and served in the South Pacific until the end of the war.
Upon arriving in Decatur, he met and married the love of his life, Virginia Marie Burleson, his wife of 63 years who survives him. Also surviving are his two adored children, Al Bingham (and his wife, Becky) of Johns Creek, Georgia, and the apple of his eye, Anna Kate “Katie” Tidwell (and her husband, David) of Decatur. He is also survived by grandson, David Bingham (and his fiancee’, Kim Altman).
Mr. Buddy was an inspiration to everyone who knew him and those who were fortunate enough to know him will miss his positive attitude, his kindness to everyone he met and his sense of humor. He also made sure that anyone who visited his home didn’t leave hungry.
He was a longtime member of Grant Street Church of Christ and enjoyed the friendship and fellowship of everyone at the church. He served for several years as an Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 20 and was an avid fan of Crimson Tide football. He had a long and distinguished career with the U.S. Government, traveling around the world in service to our country.
The family also extends a special thank you to his caregivers, Shirley Stevenson, Sharon Black, Dana Kilson, Sandi Jenkins and Pattie Hollis. Also thanks and much love to his best friends who were chosen as family: Doug and Freda Andrews and Wayne and Barbara Waldrop.
Graveside services will be Thursday, May 21, 2015, at 2 p.m. at Decatur City Cemetery. His nephew, Rev. Sam Hardie III will preside with Ridout’s Brown-Service Funeral Home directing.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grant Street Church of Christ, the Committee on Church Cooperation, or Wet Nose Volunteers at (256) 353-6758.
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