William Steve Borders, Jr.

William Steve "Bud" Borders, Jr. of Enterprise, Alabama, passed away August 7, 2023 in New Port Richey, Florida.  He was 78 years old.   A private family graveside service will be held in Fort Walton Beach later this fall.

Bud was born on April 9, 1945 in Ancon, Canal Zone at Gorgas Hospital in Panama.  The first-born son of William “Billy” Steve Borders and Sara “Sarita” Cecilia Moreno Borders, Bud spent his formative years with his family living throughout the United States, Panama and France.  In 1966, he met Charlene “Charlie” Borders and married his sweetheart in July 1967.   He graduated with a BA from Florida State University in 1968, and soon after served as an US Army Captain with the 237th Medical Detachment (DMZ Dustoff) in Phu Bai, Vietnam.  After Vietnam, Bud flew with the Dustoff 54th Medical Detachment and became a Hospital Administrator at Fort Lewis, an Operations Research Analyst in the Pentagon, and taught at Georgetown.  He completed his military career in 1989 as a Lieutenant Colonel at the Aeromedical Research Laboratory in Fort Rucker.   While serving in the Army, Bud was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and two Bronze Stars.

Always an avid student, Bud earned a MA from Pacific Lutheran University, a MHA from Baylor University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Washington. After his military career, Bud entered the world of Academia, focusing on teaching, research, and consulting at Troy State University of Dothan and the University of Maryland for over 20 years.   After inheriting his father’s genealogy files, Bud spent the remainder of his retired years researching genealogy online.

Bud was a devoted husband and an amazing “girl dad” to his two daughters, Andrea and Kerry.  In 2015, he became an ordained minister and officiated the weddings of both his girls.  Bud was also a voracious reader of science fiction and loved watching movies (as long as no dogs were harmed, of course).  When not relaxing in his favorite chair, you would find him planning travel adventures with his family until Charlene’s death in 2019.  In his final years he reunited with Martha “Marty” Hubbs, who brought him much joy and happiness.  He spent his remaining days with Marty and cherished their relationship.

Bud was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Charlene Borders; his beloved “younger” sister, Billie Maria Borders Peterman; his sweet sister-in-law Kathy Borders; his parents William and Sara Borders; and his golden retrievers: Dexter, DJ and Trey.  Surviving relatives include two daughters, Andrea Borders (Mark Chance), Chamblee, Georgia, Kerry Borders (Chris Armstrong), Atlanta, Georgia; two brothers James Borders, Jacksonville, Florida, and Richard Borders (Mary), Elizabethtown, Kentucky; brother-in-law Barry Peterman (Janie); and numerous nieces and nephews.  Bud will be missed beyond measure by his family and friends, but he always believed we only truly die when we are forgotten (sólo morimos cuando nos olvidan).

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