Edward "Bud" Ellsworth Betts

Edward "Bud" Betts Obituary

Edward Ellsworth “Bud” Betts, age 94, of Mesa, AZ, formerly of Pasadena, CA, passed away Friday, December 8th, 2023.  His life covered an expansive amount of U.S. and world history that occurred during his lifetime.  He was a convert member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Bud Betts was born in Pasadena, CA, November 22, 1929.  He was preceded in death by; his parents, Ellsworth Emerson “Bub” Betts and Dorothy (Welsh) Betts Hill, his stepfather, Robert Allison Hill, his wife, Wanda (Stephens) Betts, and his two sisters, Frederica “Freddie” (Betts) Cleveland and Sidney (Betts) Lewis.

Bud is survived by his brother, Stan Betts of San Diego, CA, and his five children, Edward Emerson “Buddy” Betts of Gig Harbor, WA, Elizabeth (Betts) Lowery, of Mesa, AZ, Leslie Ann (Betts) Ehle, of Surprise, AZ, Stephen Ellsworth Betts, of Los Alamos, NM and William Palmer “Bill” Betts, of Colorado Springs, CO.  Bud had 26 grandchildren, and 36 great grandchildren.

Bud spent his retirement years, making magnificent works of wood, a hobby turned into a passion.  He used his skills making many, many award plaques for scouting and missionary service awards, building clocks, furniture, boats, and other items for family, friends and his community.  He assisted children, grandchildren, and community members to achieve educational pursuits.  He also developed extraordinary drawing talents and he continued developing his skills in painting art work with a professional art instructor at the age of 93.

Bud was an amazing mechanical engineer, with many ingenious designs that were used by the U.S. Navy, the military in general, a variety of government contractors, a couple of U.S. aircraft companies, and private businesses.  Many of his designs were well ahead of their time. 

Bud developed highly advanced skills as a vocalist in music, having sung for a variety purposes, including the Southern California Mormon Choir, a number of plays and musicals, some of which were performed in the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA, and church services over a period of many years.

Bud was a graduate of the University of Arizona, in Tucson, AZ.  He was a Veteran of the U.S. Air Force, having served as a A&E (Airframe and Engine) mechanic during the Korean War.

He was married to Wanda (Stephens) Betts for 54 years, until her death in 2009.

During his younger years, Bud spent about 20 years during the summer months at the family cabin in Lake Arrowhead, CA, where he won many sailing races, and competed in waterskiing competitions with the Lake Arrowhead Yacht Club.  Bud’s father was one of the three original founding members of the Lake Arrowhead Yacht Club.  During the winter months he enjoyed snow skiing and being a member of the Ski Patrol.

Burial services are planned for Friday, January 5th, 2024, at 11:00am at the Fentress Memorial Gardens, where he will be laid to rest next to his wife.

Jennings Funeral Home of Jamestown, TN in charge of services for Edward Ellsworth "Bud" Betts of Mesa, AZ.

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