James Bud LeRoy Whismore

James (Bud) LeRoy Whismore peacefully left his earthly body on April 22, 2024, at his home in Twin Falls, Idaho after suffering through a long battle of COPD.

Bud was born on July 20, 1936, to Harvey and Mary Whismore in Welch, Oklahoma. The family relocated to the Magic Valley area of Idaho. He attended schools in Jerome and Twin Falls, graduating from Twin Falls High school in 1955. In 1960 he married Dolores Zimmerman Ambrose and was later divorced. They raised a daughter and three sons together.  In 2004 he married Linda Eilers while on a bowling tournament trip to Nevada. They married at the Ponderosa Ranch. They were together until Bud’s passing.

He joined the US Navy in August 1956.  His first duty station was on the USS Constitution doing maintenance on the ship.  In 1957 he transferred to the submarine fleet and served on the USS Queenfish (1957-1960) as a torpedoman. In 1960 he went into the Inactive Reserves to return home to help his father with farming.  In 1962 he returned to the Navy and joined the crew of the USS Sea Fox. He was deployed for several six-month tours of duty during the Vietnam War.  In 1967 he was transferred to the Mark48 torpedo program and served there until his retirement.  His tours of duty took the family to San Diego, California; Orlando, Florida; Satellite Beach, Florida; and Groton/New London Connecticut.  He retired as a Chief Petty Officer (E7) in March 1978.

Bud enjoyed baseball of all types including: hardball, softball, slow pitch or fast pitch.  His favorite position to play was as a pitcher.  He was known for his wicked sinker, curve and slider ball pitches.  Playing as a catcher and short stop were his other favorite positions to play.  He played on many military base baseball teams. He coached his sons' little league baseball teams.  In 1974 he took one of the teams to the Florida state championship tournament coming in third place. Immediately following the losing game, the family headed to the next duty station in Groton, Connecticut. When his arm gave out for throwing the baseball, he turned to bowling.  He bowled in numerous leagues and coached various youth and adult bowlers. Many miles were put on the motor home traveling to many  state and national bowling tournaments. To bowl a perfect 300 game doesn’t happen often but Bud was able to achieve that distinction several times during his bowling career. But his most favorite hobby was fishing. It didn’t matter if it was bank, boat, stream or surf fishing, he loved to fish.  Many family camping trips were taken to Lake Okeechobee, Florida.  After work he would often be found fishing in the surf, the family’s backyard while living in Satellite Beach. Magic Reservoir was a favorite fishing spot after moving to Jerome. Another favorite fishing spot was to Farewell Bend to catch catfish with the grandkids. He loved teaching them how to fish and clean the fish they caught.   

After retirement he moved the family to Jerome, Idaho into a rock farm house and spent time remodeling it, raising a few cows, and chicken, and tending to a huge garden.  He worked at the Jerome Bowling Alley for several years and then moved on to work at Sunset Bowl in Buhl and the Bowl-a-drome in Twin Falls while continuing to bowl and coach adults and youth. He was one of his grandson Anthony’s biggest supporters and coaches.  Bud and Linda were camp hosts at Hayspur Fish Hatchery for several years and made many friends there. Family camping trips and gatherings were had at the campground enjoying the quiet and fishing.  Bud and Linda made several trips to Oklahoma for Whismore family reunions. 

Bud was preceded in death by his parents: Harvey and Mary Whismore; brother, Jessie Whismore; his sister, Betty Hinton; brother, Wilber (Dick) Whismore. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Linda; children: Vickie Campbell (Bob), Arlington, WA; Ronald Whismore (Kathy), Houston, TX; Glen Whismore (Bonnie), Kendrick, ID; Harold Whismore, Twin Falls, ID;  grandchildren: Sheena Campbell, Arlington WA; Robert Campbell (Jessica), Skykomish, WA; Davis Schoolcraft (Justin), Wendell, ID; Anthony Hall, Twin Falls, ID; Rhoni Whismore, Caldwell ID; great-grandchildren: Kaiya Opsal, Arlington, WA; Emma Campbell, Skykomish, WA; Cassandra Jean Peirson; Robert David Schoessler; Zoie Jolynn Brady-Craig of Twin Falls, ID; his sisters Mary Robbins, Twin Falls, ID; and Charlene Twitchell, Jerome, ID. He also leaves Linda’s children who he loved as his own, Bryan (Marie) Clayton of Twin Falls, ID; Barbie (Terry) McManus, Dietrich, ID; grandchildren Nade Jones (Rain), Twin Falls, ID; Marissa Clayton, Twin Falls, ID; Erin Clayton, Twin Falls, ID; Thomas Lanham, Twin Falls, ID; Klaus Lanham, Twin Falls, ID; RJ Clayton, Twin Falls, ID; and William Clayton, Twin Falls, ID; Melissa Halbertson, Gooding, ID; Cheyenne (Cade) Bingham, Jerome, ID; great-grandchildren: Alexis McManus, Twin Falls, ID; Aliah Peterson, Twin Falls, ID;   Amella Jones, Jerome, ID; Mylah Clayton, Twin Falls, ID;  and Brielle Bingham, Jerome, ID; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  His big smile and kind heart will be missed.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Wilks Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls, ID.  Viewing will be held on Sunday, May 12, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, and Monday, May 13, 10:00 am - 11:00 am.  Funeral service, on Monday, May 13, 11:00 am.  The graveside service will be at Sunset Memorial Park,  2296 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls, ID at 12:30 pm with a reception following at Wilks Funeral Home. 

Many thanks to nurse Lisa from Heritage Home Health and Hospice and Dr. Brad Hyatt for their care and support during Bud’s illness.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation.  Checks can be made to: Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation, P.O. Box 2254, Boise, ID  83701or through the Idaho Fish and Wildlife website: https://ifwf.org/our-foundation/donate/  Please note that the donation is in honor of Bud Whismore.