Wilda Sloan Budde

Celebrating the Spirit and Life of Wilda Ann Sloan Budde

Wilda Ann Sloan Budde was born on October 6, 1943, in Beaumont, Texas. She was the oldest of three children born to William E. Sloan lll and Juanita F. Simmons (Sloan). Eventually, Wilda and parents moved to Berkeley CA, in 1946, settling there and extending their family roots. After a fulfilling life centered on family, community, service, and artistic pursuits, God called her home on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025, at the age of 81.

Wilda was preceded in death by her father William E. Sloan lll, her mother Juanita F. Simmons (Sloan), and brother Alfred C. Simmons. To mourn her passing, Wilda is survived by her lifelong partner and devoted husband of 52 years, Attorney Alan F. Budde of Camarillo, CA; her two brothers, George E. Sloan of Berkeley CA., and William E. Sloan of Oakland CA., and sister Daisy A. Simmons of Emeryville, CA. Her nephews, David C. Sloan of Mahopac NY., and Daniel J. Sloan of Albany NY., her nieces, Sara J. Sloan of Berkeley, CA., and Lindsay Ducos of Oakland, CA., her sister in-laws, Lydia F. Sloan of Mahopac NY., and Janice Mabry of Berkeley, CA, as well as other relatives and family friends.

Wilda’s strength and vitality were inspiring to family, friends and all who met her. She was vivacious and a talented artist who was passionate about life and her artistic work. She was devoted to family, particularly as a homemaker, providing a beautiful and happy home for both her and her husband, Alan. She enjoyed interior design, producing custom jewelry, and creating unique arts and crafts. As a trailblazer, Wilda was among the first African American Women to attend the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, CA. She earned her BA degree and pursued graduate work.

Wilda would go on to establish her own trade and craft business and become successful in selling ethnic and cultural artifacts including western apparel and jewelry. She was an avid collector of figurines and other interesting objects that provoked conversational curiosities. She also continued her paintings and music interests as well.

Wilda had a remarkable ability to inspire and attract people’s interest wherever she traveled. People connected with her immediately because of her friendliness, her outgoing personality, the empathy she shared, or simply through the elegance she possessed. She was a person of many facets yet purely genuine and beloved. Her pose and dignity and unbending sense of humanity made people feel at ease. Wilda will be missed by her family and friends but her wonderful spirit will live on.

Although Wilda is no longer with us, her indelible memory will forever live in our hearts. She is at peace now singing with the Lord and Angels joining together with the rest of the family and loved ones gone by.

The Family