BREWER -- Lawrence W. “Bud” Lyford, 90, died peacefully on Saturday, April 5, 2014, surrounded by his family at home. He was born Sept. 9, 1923, in Brewer, the son of Albert L. Lyford Sr. and Doris W. (Lawrence) Lyford.

Bud was a 1941 graduate of Brewer High School, where he played football, basketball and baseball, and was the first player to be named to the All-State Football Team. He attended the University of Maine for two years, being named to the UMaine Varsity M Club for football and baseball, and a member of the All-Maine Team in football. He also was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.

Bud served his country 1943-1946 in the 104th Infantry, the Timberwolf Division of the U.S. Army. He saw active duty in Belgium, Holland and Germany, and was wounded on Nov. 30, 1944, in Germany. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star during World War II.

After returning home, he was owner-operator of Thompson & Lyford Hardware in Brewer for 40 years. He was past president of the New England Hardware Association, and former chairman of the board for Bangor Savings & Loan, Brewer Housing Authority, and Brewer Parks and Recreation. He was a member of the Brewer Historical Society, First United Methodist Church of Brewer, Brewer Boosters Club and the Masons. In 2009, Bud and Jean Lyford were named Brewer Citizens of the Year.

Bud was a basketball referee for many years, and received the honor of refereeing during the New England Regional Basketball Tournament. He was a lifelong fan of the University of Maine Black Bears, the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Jean (Thompson) Lyford of Brewer; a daughter, Susan Xirinachs and her husband, Michael, of Brewer; a son, Peter Lyford and his wife, Marcia, of Eddington; two grandchildren, Liana Windle and her husband, Frank, of Orrington; and Ryan Lyford and his wife, Karen, of Gorham; three great-grandchildren, Haylee of Orrington and Natalie and Andrew of Gorham; a special sister- and brother-in-law, Ellen and Bill Hayes of Brewer, and their daughter, Peggy Legasse of Holden; several nieces and nephews.

Bud was predeceased by his mother, Doris L. Lyford; his father, Albert L. Lyford Sr., and his grandson, Keith Xirinachs.

Relatives and friends are invited to call 1-3 and 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, at the Brewer Chapel of Brookings-Smith, 55 South Main Street, Brewer. Services will be held 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at First United Methodist Church, Brewer. Gifts in Bud’s memory may be made to First United Methodist Church, 40 South Main St., Brewer, ME 04412, or the Brewer Historical Society, 199 Wilson St., Brewer, ME 04412. A scholarship in Bud’s name will be set up to benefit a Brewer High School student. Contributions may be sent in care of Liana Windle, 110 Parkway North, Brewer, ME 04412. Interment in Woodland Cemetery, Brewer will be held in the spring. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.