Fairmont, WV - Albert L "Bud" Sanford, 79, of Fairmont passed away on Thursday, August 28, 2025. He was born in Jane Lew on June 2, 1946, a son of the late Albert L and Estella Verniadean Sanford-Paugh.

He was a 1964 graduate of Fairmont Senior High School.

Bud served with the United States Navy from 1966-1972 during the Vietnam Era. He served 2 tours of duty to the Mid-East aboard the USS Greene DD711 and the USS Rich DD820. Bud served on 2 stand-by Apollo recovery missions and search and recovery for the nuclear submarine USS Scorpion.

Bud was a self-employed roofer and service station operator. He also worked in construction, machine shops and fabrication work.

Left to cherish his memory are his son, Adam L. Sanford and his companion, Melanie Taylor; his grandchildren, Aaron L. Sanford and his wife Lindsey, Zachary and his wife Noel Taylor and their sons, Jackson, Emmett, and Wyatt, Danny and Anna (Taylor) Emery and their daughter, River and son Ridge, sisters Carolyn L (Wilbur C) Shaffer of Georgia and Patricia A Carpenter of Grafton, brothers David A Sanford and Lonnie E (Gwen) Sanford all of Fairmont and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his loving wife of 54 years Shirley Hewitt Sanford, his parents and a brother Aaron S "Stan" Sanford, brother-in-law Ernest "Tub" Carpenter and sister-in- law Sherry Sanford.

Family and friends can gather to celebrate Bud at Carpenter & Ford Funeral Home, 209 Merchant Street on Saturday August 30, 2025, from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Cremation will follow the visitation. An inurnment will take place at Mt. Zion Cemetery at a later date with full military honors officiated by the United States Navy and the Marion County Honor Guard.