Cecil "Bud" Bearden, 92, of Tama, passed away Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at Sunny Hill Care Center under the care of Hospice of Midwest. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, December 5, 2022 at 10:30 AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tama with Pastor Warren Riley officiating. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo. A Memorial Visitation will be held Sunday, December 4, 2022 from 3-6 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.

William Cecil was born on May 13, 1930, in Tama, Iowa, the son of William Jesse and Violet Fern (See) Bearden.

He graduated from Tama High School in 1949.

Cecil served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War from August 16, 1950 until October 26, 1953.

On January 9, 1955, he was united in marriage to Elva Irene Wulff at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tama. Cecil worked his entire career at the Paper Mill in Tama, starting on May 16, 1946, earning 50 cents an hour, working his way up to Maintenance Supervisor from 1954 to 1978, and then Plant Superintendent, retiring on June 1, 1991 after forty-five years of service.

Cecil was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tama, where he served on several committees over the years. He was also a member of the Tama American Legion and the VFW.

Cecil's hobbies included woodworking and repairing things. He enjoyed coffee with his brothers and following the kids' and grandkids' activities over the years.

Survivors include his children, Barbara (James) Hazelton of Cedar Rapids, Brenda (Nick) Shafer of Plattsmouth, NE and Sandra (Paul) Svacina of Toledo; six grandchildren, Lance (Lainie) Shafer of Papillion, NE, Jeffrey (Amanda) Shafer of Omaha, NE, Courtney Svacina of Marshalltown, Caitlin (Jordan) Skarin of Radcliffe, Chris Flott of Omaha, NE and Jim Bob (Laura) Shafer of Omaha, NE; sixteen great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; brothers, Charles (Mary Lynne) Bearden of Gladbrook, Chester (Elizabeth) Bearden of Toledo, Clifford (Joyce) Bearden of Hudson, FL, Fritz (Mila) Bearden of Toledo and Clyde (Merna) Bearden of Tama; many nieces and nephews; and a close family friend, Cynthia Roth of Tama.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Elva on December 29, 2018; grandson, Michael Hazelton; brother, Carl Bearden; and sister-in-law, Bettie Bearden.

Memorials may be directed to the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tama.