William Buford

William Martin Bill Buford, 83, of Greensboro, N.C., and formerly of Chattanooga, transitioned Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, at Adams Farm Living & Rehabilitation Center. He fought a good fight for years, battling ALS, several strokes, and a tumor. A noon memorial service and an 11:30 a.m. family hour will be Saturday, April 22, 2017, at St. Matthews United Methodist Church, 600 E. Florida St. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, 27405; or Morgan State University Varsity "M" Club, 1700 E. Cold Spring LN, Baltimore, Md., 21251. Cards and expressions may be sent to Dr. Velma Speight Buford, 11 Carissa Court, Greensboro, N.C., 27407. Born Feb. 19, 1933, to William Martin Buford and Nellie Reinhardt Buford, in Asheville, N.C., he joined Berry Temple United Methodist Church, which he supported throughout his life. As Stephens-Lee High School's football team co-captain, Buford's football scholarship provided a Morgan College undergraduate degree. He did graduate work at the University of Maryland-College Park. He was considered one of the finest tackles to ever play at Morgan State University (then Morgan College from 1950 to 1954) as a four-year letterman in football and team co-captain; All-CIAA football team; All-America team-Pittsburg Courier; and All-American team-Our Sports Magazine. In 1954, Buford was the 22nd draft choice of the Green Bay Packers; second NFL draftee for Morgan; among the first six NFL draftees from HBCUs. He was inducted into Morgan's Athletics' Hall of Fame and later inducted into the CIAA John B. McLendon Hall of Fame. Buford had a successful career with the Dept. of Labor, retiring in Chattanooga. He was a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; NAACP; and Morgan State University Alumni Association. He was a Second Missionary Baptist Church deacon and trustee; Morgan State's Varsity "M" Club member; and a leader with Prince Hall Masons. After marrying Dr. Velma Speight, he moved to Greensboro and joined St. Matthews United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Beta Epsilon Boule' and involved with NC A&T Aggie Athletics' fundraising, football, and a basketball/track volunteer until his health declined. Left to mourn his passing is wife, Dr. Velma Speight Buford, of Greensboro, N.C.; daughter, Rhonda Buford Jones, of Washington, D.C.; granddaughter and grandson, Kristin Jones and A.J. Jones, of Washington, D.C.; sister, Laverne Clinkscale, of Asheville, N.C.; granddaughter, Riki Spence Washington, of Chattanooga; special cousins, Elizabeth Scott and Agnes Powell, of Silver Springs, M.D.; devoted neighbors, Louis and Sandra Jones, of Greensboro; and many friends and loved ones. The Buford Family thanks, Adams Farm Living & Rehabilitation Center, Wake Forest University ALS Clinic, Home Instead Senior Care, Hospice & Palliative Care of Greensboro, and Dr. Tobias LaGrone.