Ronald M Kay Buller, September 22, 1925 — July 21, 2018

Obituary for Ronald McKay Buller Traverse City will be missing one of its greatest Navy pilots. Our loving father, Ronald McKay Buller, passed away peacefully July 21st, 2018. He had a long and wonderful life.

Ron was the third son of Mildred and Robert Buller born September 22nd, 1925 in Acme. Growing up he attended schools in Interlochen and Traverse City. After graduating from Traverse City High School in 1943, Ron enlisted in the Navy and dreamed to become a pilot.

He was certified as a Navy pilot in 1946 after attending flight school in Pensacola, Florida. He served in the Navy for 34 years and was stationed mostly at Naval Air Stations in California. While stationed at Alameda Naval Air Station, he met and married Marcella Goldman in 1948.

They had four children; Dave, Steve, Teri Jones, and Sue Austin, raising them in San Diego, Coronado, and Fremont, CA. One of his claims to fame was breaking the sound barrier while piloting a F8 Crusader while he was a Lieutenant Commander. One of his most proud and daring flights was when he flew his jet under the Deception Pass Bridge at Whidbey Island, Washington.

Ron’s second career after retiring from the Navy was in banking. He joined Crocker Bank and was promoted quickly as the bank manager at the main downtown branch in Hayward, CA. When his wife passed away in 1976, he decided to return to Traverse City.

He joined the Elks Club and became their treasurer. He met a wonderful, witty woman, Jane Kildee. They married in 1980 and Jane’s children; Susie Janis, Patrick, Sandy Lindstrom, Lisa Lempke and Bill joined the blended family.

Ron and Jane enjoyed traveling, bridge, and entertaining friends. Ron loved fishing in West Bay when the salmon were in. Ron was always impeccably dressed no matter what the occasion and always had an optimistic personality that will be sorely missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.

Ron was preceded in death by his brothers; Ray, Dick, and Roger and grand-children Daniel Johnson and Julie Janis Finch. Ron is survived by his wife, Jane, 9 children, 16 grandchildren, and 11 great grand -children. In Lieu of flowers memorial gifts can be made to The Northwest Michigan Jesus Ministry, P.O Box 1408 Traverse City, MI 49685.

Please share your thoughts and memories of Ron with his family by way of his online guestbook at www. reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

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