Bud was born April 27, 1930 in Trafford, PA, to Frank and Edith Ellen Lindbloom Howell. He grew up in Trafford until the family moved to Turtle Creek, PA. He graduated from Turtle Creek High School in 1948. Bud then went to work for Westinghouse Electric in Pittsburgh, transferring with the company to Idaho Falls, ID, in 1957. He retired from Westinghouse in 1994 after 45 years of service.

In 1956, he married Dolly Gavin in Wilkinsburg, PA. They later divorced, and in 1980 he married Pam Scott in Idaho Falls. They also divorced.

Bud was truly devoted to the game of American Ten Pins. His passion for the game began in Turtle Creek at the age of 16 when he began playing rubber-banded duck pins. in 1951, he was asked to join one of the largest traveling bowling leagues in the United States, and he did not miss a season of bowling after that.

When Bud moved to Idaho Falls, he joined a league sponsored by Westinghouse at Broadway Bowl. Then, in 1963,  at the instigation of longtime Idaho Falls bowler, Tucker Morishita, he was elected to the Idaho Falls Bowling Association Board of Directors. He remained a member of the IFBA until the association merged with the Idaho Falls Women's Bowling Association in 2014. He held the offices of President and treasurer with the IFBA,

In 1965, the Idaho Falls Director to the Idaho State Bowling Association, Elden Martin, resigned and Bud was elected to that post, which he held until 2012. He became involved with organizational bowling on a national level when Bob Curran, Sr. resigned his post of Idaho Director, a position Bud filled. His name was added to the ballot for state directors without his knowledge, and he was elected. He served the American Bowling Congress as a member of the new equipment, budget and finance, site selection, and high score awards committees. He was also a Certified Lane Inspection instructor, teaching the process to local associations in over 15 western states.

Bud began bowling in the ABC National Tournaments in 1966 in Miami, FL. He often talked about his team of Roger Tessman of Florida, Andy Stuart of Wisconsin, Jerry Beltz of Alaska; and Bill Tessman of Minnesota. Together they constituted over 200 combined years of bowling in the ABC/USBC tournaments. In 2016, Bud joined the elite of the elite in tournament participation when he was honored by the United States Bowling Congress for his participation in 50 consecutive tournaments. Over 30 Idaho Falls bowlers made the trek to Reno, NV, to watch the presentation ceremony. When asked if he would be participating in tournament number 51, he replied, "God willing and the creek don't rise, I'll be in Las Vegas next year." He was unable to make it, but his heart was there.

Golf tournaments were his other passion, which weren't limited to the United States, either, as he participated in the Goodwill Tournament in Bermuda, and, in 1994 with Andy Stuart, made the trek to golf in the Australian National Championships. When asked how he did, he answered by saying "we never missed a hole."

In 1968, he was among a group of Idaho Falls bowlers who saw the need for a way for the IFBA, the IFWBA, the IF Junior Bowling Association and the IF bowling center proprietors to get together to coordinate and promote bowling, and the Idaho Falls Bowling Council was formed. Bud served as president of the IFBC, and was instrumental in forming the Idaho Falls Bowling Hall of Fame in 1974. He was inducted into this august group in 1975.

Bud was also a part of the same organization on the state level: The Idaho State Bowling Council. As a director on the ISBA, he also attended ISBC meetings, serving as president in 1977. He also was part of the committee which formulated the Idaho State Jamboree in which the associations and bowling center representatives from around Idaho gather to share information, listen to representatives from the national level and to honor the bowling achievements in each association. For his work on and participation in bowling on the state level, he was inducted into the Idaho State Bowling Hall of Fame in 1989.

The pinnacle of recognition for Bud's service came in 1992 when he was made a Life Member of the Idaho Falls BA, the Idaho State BA, and the American Bowling Congress.

But there was more to Bud's life than bowling. He was also a member of the Boy Scouts of America and reached the level of Eagle Scout. He was also a Master Mason, with over 50 years membership in the organization.

Bud was also an avid golfer, never missing a chance to golf with his coffee buddies in Idaho Falls, the ISBA officers at state meetings, and with his  acquaintances when on ABC business. He was also an avid fan of NASCAR racing, often going home right after bowling in league to watch on TV. He loved to entertain, and often hosted gatherings at his home, including the annual IFBA summer picnic.

Bud was driven to be involved, yet he always had time for his family and vast number of friends. He was a great father, "Pap pap", and friend. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his daughter Fran (Mike) Larsh of Boise; Son-in-law, Clair Manwill of Idaho Falls; Grandaughters, Maria (Todd) Barrie and Camille Manwill, both of Idaho Falls, and Jessica (Rodney) Goscinski of Boise; Grandson, Kenny (Whitney) Manwill of Idaho Falls, and Daniel Hopla of Boise; sisters, Marge Myers and Janet (Ed) Dunmire, both of Leesburg, FL; brother Jim Howell of Tarpin Springs, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Edith Howell, his daughter, Debbie Manwill, and brother Jack Howell.