Obituary: William L. "Bud" Klette

October 9, 1925 - November 27, 2010

Bud Klette, 85, a Carson City resident since 1982, died Nov. 27, 2010, at his home. Bud was born in Fresno, Calif., where he graduated from high school in 1943. After graduation he joined the United States Marine Corps - Semper Fi - and proudly served in the Pacific during World War II in Guam, Iwo Jima and China. After the war Bud attended Fresno State for four years. During this time he met his beloved wife, Gayle Griffin, and they were married June 10, 1948. Gayle died Oct. 21, 2008. She and Bud were together for more than 60 years. They made their home on the family ranch in North Fork, Calif., and raised their children there. During his life Bud was a rancher, newspaper reporter, magazine writer, and retired in 1974 as the North Fork postmaster after 22 years of service. Together Bud and Gayle built Old Town in North Fork, and then later opened the first bed and breakfast in Carson City after restoring and furnishing the historic Elliot-Chartz house in 1983. However, Bud found his true calling in the antique business in 1965 and spent the next 45 years actively buying, selling, appraising and collecting antiques.

Bud was an avid reader and possessed a wealth of knowledge on many subjects including California and Nevada history, the American Civil War, nonfiction books and the antiques trade. He wrote for the Fresno Bee newspaper for nearly 15 years and had more than 50 magazine articles published on subjects ranging from lost treasures to poisonous plants to San Francisco nightlife. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends as well as by his many colleagues and customers in the antiques community.

Bud is survived by his daughter Susan Chard of North Fork; son Scott Klette and his wife Mary Ellen of Carson City; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and canine companion Kiddo. He is also survived by his youngest.

Private burial will be at Lone Mountain Cemetery. A memorial service for Bud and Gayle Klette will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Bud's favorite charity, the Salvation Army; Saint Mary's Hospice, who helped care for Bud during the last months of his life; or any group seeking to change the administration in Washington in 2012.

Walton's Chapel of the Valley is in charge of final arrangements.