Wytheville, VA - Bernard "Bud" Shinault Jr., 83, passed away peacefully on November 19, 2025, with his family by his side. Born in Bluefield, West Virginia, he was a member of the Bluefield High School Class of 1960. Bud went on to attend Concord University, where he was a proud member of the 1961 Conference Championship Baseball Team and was later inducted into the Concord University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019 alongside the other surviving members of his team.

Bud always spoke fondly of his time in college working as a counselor and coach at Camp Skycrest, a kids summer camp in the mountains of Pennsylvania, where he worked alongside several of his Concord baseball teammates.

Bud spent his first two years after college teaching and coaching at Victoria High School in Lunenburg County, VA. While there he coached the 1965 girl's basketball team to a very successful season with an overall record of 11-2. In 1967 he accepted a teaching and coaching position at Fort Chiswell High School and dedicated 30 years to teaching geography, social studies, drivers ed, and physical education while there. Bud also coached just about every sport Fort Chiswell High School offered—football, baseball, boys' and girls' basketball, and track. During his final years of teaching and coaching, he even founded the school's golf team. He left a lasting impact not only through his knowledge, but through his humor and encouragement.

A lifelong WVU Mountaineers fan, Bud stood by his Mountaineers through good times and bad. Mostly bad, Bud would say. He loved golf, good food, classic TV, movies, music, animals, and getting a laugh out of those around him.

Above all, Bud was a proud father to his son, Sam, with whom he shared a close bond. Sam was honored to be one of Bud's caregivers in his final years.

Bud is survived by his loving wife, Rebecca Shinault, and his son, Sam Shinault. He is preceded in death by his father, Bernard W. Shinault; his mother, Dorothy Fridley Shinault; his sister, Bonnie Shinault; and his loyal hound dog, Huggy.

In keeping with Bud's wishes, please drop by and join the family for a Celebration of Life at Wytheville Golf Club on Sunday August 2, 2026 between 2:30pm-5:00pm. At Bud's request this will be a casual party meant to celebrate his memory and share stories

"Country roads, take me home, to the place I belong, West Virginia, mountain mama, take me home, country roads." — John Denver