Lloyd "Bud" Dempsey, 70, of Rock Island, passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at his home surrounded by family.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family. Memorials may be made in Bud's name to QC Paws.

Bud was born on September 23, 1954, in Moline, IL, to Paul and Carolyn (Swanson) Dempsey. Bud was raised by his mother and stepfather Wendell "Pete" Large. He married Joan McCracken on August 23, 2003, in Moline. Bud enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing and camping. He was an avid fan of the Chicago Bears. He had a great sense of humor and was a relentless jokester who made you question half the stuff he told you (with a serious face of course). He loved music and dancing. Bud was talented and could sing and play the guitar, drums, and harmonica by ear.  He was known to take over the dance floor throughout his life until he could no longer. Above all else, Bud cherished his time with his family.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Joan; children, Kari (Matthew) Hildebrant, Erin (Gary) Dempsey-Rohr, Steven Dempsey; bonus children, Joshua Billiet, Jared (Megan) Billiet, Janelle Schumacher; 14 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren; brother, Richard Dempsey; and many more friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Wendell Large; and siblings, Deborah Larvenz, and Linda Morrison.