Charles (Buddy) was born in Louisville in 1936 and attended Eastern High School. As a child, he loved working as a soda jerk in the family’s pharmacy during World War II and having a paper route. Buddy was disciplined and hardworking from an early age; he was named Paperboy of the Year numerous times and saved enough money from working his paper route to buy a car at age 16, which he drove on his first solo road trip to Denver. He also had an opportunity to play professional baseball.
Buddy is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Since he was modest and a man of few words, he didn’t talk about his assignment to take spy photos while he was in the service; instead, he loved to reminisce about the various trips he took on his motorcycle while he was overseas. He was humble about the stunning personal photos, in particular of France and Germany, that he took while he was in the Air Force.
For a career, he was a Master Plumber, a pipe fitter, and a boilermaker, and his job took him to Maryland and Tennessee. Buddy took great pride in his work and in any project he tackled.
He enjoyed fishing, working on cars, watching Westerns and sports (especially college football), savoring a good meal, drinking beer and wine, and talking about history, antiques, steam engines, and movies (two of his favorites were On the Waterfront and East of Eden). Buddy traveled to 49 U.S. states and various countries with his beloved wife of 39 years. He especially enjoyed traveling in Germany, California, New England, Wyoming, Montana, Iowa, and Ireland and encouraged others to go on adventures and see the world.
Buddy was a private and stoic person, though he lit up when talking about his family. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, and uncle.
He is survived by his wife, Kit Weilage; his daughter, Mary Weilage (Kley Welsh); his stepchildren, Matthew Landrus (Mallica Kumbera) and Joan Landrus Hutchinson (Bryan); his stepgrandson, Kyle Edmondon; his nephews, Steve Gregory (Denise), Mark Gregory (Melissa), David Gregory (Kelly), and Wayne Hartman; his niece, Cloud Force, and nephew, Patrick Walker; his sisters-in-law, Debby Walker and Dorian Peacock (Ralph), and brother-in-law, Cecil Walker; and his cousin, Doris Deisenroth.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Carolyn Gregory (Bill); his parents, Charles W. Weilage, Sr. and Lillian Weilage; and his previous wife, Carol Hayden Irwin.
A celebration of his lifel will be held on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, at 12:30 p.m. in the chapel of Arch L. Heady-Cralle Funeral Home, 2428 Frankfort Ave Louisville, KY., with interment and military honors to follow at Cave Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held on December 4 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
Instead of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions go to Kosair Charities and Whitehall House & Gardens.
The family wishes to thank the various healthcare professionals who cared for Buddy, especially Dr. William C Buschemeyer, Dr. John Eifler, Fred Dunda, and Dr. Jane Cornett.
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