Mr. T.D. Buford

Thomas Doyle “T.D.” Buford went home to be with his Savior Thursday, January 12, 2017. Visitation will be 5-8pm Saturday, January 14, 2017 at Chancellor Funeral Home in Byram. Services will be 2pm Sunday, January 15, 2017 at Lakeshore Congregational Methodist Church in Byram, with visitation from 1-2pm at the church. Interment will be 11am Monday, January 16, 2017 at Lakewood South. Mr. Buford was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was a Mechanical Contractor and former owner and President of T.D. Buford & Son Mechanical Contractors, where he retired at age 55. While in business he served as President of the Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors in 1961. In 1980 he was elected as Contractor of the year. The Mississippi Association of Mechanical Contractors presented him with the Certificate of Merit award as Director, March of 1963. This was the highest award which was designed to reward Meritorious Service rendered the plumbing industry and the Mississippi Mechanical Contractors Association. He was presented the Unselfish Devotion and Service and Duty Award to the Hinds County Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors for the year 1983. He served on the National Credentials committee for the national Association of Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors under several different presidents. After retiring from T.D. Buford & Son Mechanical Contractors at age 55, he and his wife Shirley traveled for 10 years. He then went back to work for his brother Howard at Buford Plumbing as a Plumbing Estimator for 30 years. He enjoyed his work and always looked forward to unfolding a set of plans. He worked there until his fatal accident on Tuesday, January10, 2017. He served in the Navy during WWII, where he made seven trips across. He was a Mason and member of Levell Woods Blue Lodge. He was also a 32 degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Wahabi Shriners. He served on the Mayors Advisory Committee under Mayor Dale Danks. He has been a member of Lakeshore Congregational Methodist Church for about 30 years where he served on the Board of Trustees. He was an avid Hunter and went to Montrose, Colorado deer and elk hunting every fall for about 25 years. He enjoyed all of the family get togethers and he loved all of their dogs, Chico, Tippy, Kala and Kyler and Layla. They were a big part of his life. They to have passed on, except Layla. He was preceded in death by his father, T.E. Buford and mother Plummie Buford; his first wife and mother of his two children, Gladys Howard; grandson Michael Mattiace and a sister Jane Johnson. He leaves behind his wife of 40 years, Shirley Faye Ishee Buford; daughter Patricia Mattiace of Jackson, MS; son Gerald Buford and his wife Claudia of Terry, MS; step-son, Rusty Hailey and his wife Stephanie of Brentwood, TN and Curtis Hailey of Terry, MS. He leaves 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren; brother, Howard Buford of Terry, MS; sisters, Doris Dean of Kosciusko, MS, Sarah Albritton of Raymond, MS, Mary Roberts of Crystal Springs, MS and Margie Atchinson of Concord, NC. He leaves a lot of nieces and nephews. He has been a blessing to his family, friends and neighbors and will be deeply missed. On line guest book available at www.chancellorfuneralhome.com.