Warren "Bud" E. Hooper

Warren E. “Bud” Hooper departed this world Jan. 19, 2016, but his wonderful spirit, profound wisdom and generous nature will forever remain.

Born Sept. 15, 1924, in West Branch to Warren J. Hooper and Lucille E. (Kennelly) Hooper, Bud excelled at many endeavors — academics, athletics, horsemanship, pool hall ace. As a senior in 1942 at West Branch High School he won the Michigan state tennis individual championship. In 1943 he was deployed by the Army to the Asiatic Theater where he distinguished himself with numerous meritorious citations (Pacific Theater ribbon with three bronze battle stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two bronze battle stars, etc.) while serving as one of Gen. Douglas McArthur’s radio operators. In 1946 Warren entered the School of Engineering at Michigan State University, and received his bachelor’s degree in 1949. While at the university Bud met first wife Mary Elizabeth O’Brien.

During Bud’s career he worked for the Michigan Department of Transportation as an inspector, surveyor and liaison; at B.H. Sargeant Construction Co., for which he did many bridge and engineering projects, chief among them the south pier of the Mackinac Bridge; and at Rieth-Riley Co., working on hundreds of miles of interstate/local highway systems. (Bud met Carol Wheaton, who became his wife in 1967; they spent 40 wonderful years together.) He became an owner/full partner of Central Paving, where he worked for over 20 years until his retirement in the 1990s, but he continued to consult, design and bid proposals through 2015! In 1986 he was elected president of the Michigan Roadbuilders Association. He received citations from the Michigan House of Representatives, the governor of the state of Michigan, the Michigan Contractors Political Action Committee (for which he was a 13-year board member) and the National Asphalt Paving Association. In 2012 Bud attended his 75th high school reunion with just eight fellow classmates! He was a member of the American Legion, the Elks and Moose lodges, and an avid golfer (Senior and Super Senior Club Champion, West Branch Country Club), sports enthusiast and carpenter extraordinaire.

He was preceded in death by wife, Carol; former wife, Mary; sister, Jean Maisonville; and stepson, Kyle Storjohann.

Surviving him are sons, John W. (Kathleen Pietila), Thomas M. and James R. (Linda); stepson, Kevin Storjohann; daughters, Mary Jean, Catherine A. (Roy) Exendine and Patricia J. Fenske; 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; a dear first cousin, Ann (Don) Byron; and nephews, Mark (Maureen) Maisonville, Craig (Heather) Maisonville and families.

Rest in peace, Bud — let your spirit soar.

Visitation at Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will begin on Saturday, June 11, 2016 starting at 11:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Brookside Cemetery in West Branch with Veteran honors.

Memorial Contributions can be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital.