Paul “Bud” Wade Eakins was born on January 3, 1927 in New Madrid, New Madrid County, Missouri. He was the second child of nine born to parents Benjamin Eakins and Alameda “Medie” Chambers. Throughout his life he goes by the name “Bud” for the most part.
Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Arkansas. Given the timing, heading into the depression, it might have been for economic or job opportunity reasons though we will never know for sure. By 1930, the family is living in Brinkley Arkansas. Bud was 3 years old at the time.
By the places of birth of his siblings, we know that by 1936, the family was living in Illinois and shortly thereafter they moved back to Missouri.
On December 7, 1943, Paul filed for a marriage license in New Madrid County, Missouri. On December 10th, he married Lottie May White. Both list their places of residence as Catron, New Madrid County, Missouri.
Together, they went on to have three children together:
- Paul Anthony Eakins (b. March 1, 1951, St Louis, Missouri – d. February 1, 2006, Scranton, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania)
- Paulette June Eakins (b. St Louis, Missouri – d. after 2008)
- Dorothy Mae Eakins (b. St Louis, Missouri – d. after 2008)
On April 14, 1945, Bud enlisted or was drafted into the army for World War II from New Madrid County, Missouri. He enlisted at Jefferson Barracks as a private for the enlisted for the duration of the war. He lists his education as going no further than grammar school.
WWII Army Enlistment Records – Paul W Eakins
Some time after the birth of the children, Bud and Lottie divorced though Lottie lists on her next marriage license that her previous marriage ended in death of her former spouse. He ended up remarrying and had two more children while living in Texas.
On March 6, 2002, Bud died at the age of 75, while living in Calliham, Texas. His obituary states that he was a retired fishing guide. He was buried with a veterans burial at Calliham Cemtery in Calliham, Texas on March 11, 2002.
Social Security Death Index – Paul W Eakins
US Veterans Gravesites – Paul Wade Eakins
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