Cowlitz County WA Archives Obituaries.....Butler , William Stanley January 30, 2006 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/wa/wafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: P. J. Stepp steppmom5@hotmail.com June 2, 2006, 6:37 pm Published in The Daily News from 2/1/2006 - 2/2/2006. William Stanley Butler, age 75, had a change of address from Earth to Heaven on January 30, 2006, surrounded by his loving family, after a battle with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Bill was born on January 6, 1931 in Velva, North Dakota to William Harrison Butler and Phoebe (Fix) Butler. Moving to Lake Itasca, Minnesota at age 8; he attended a one room school through the 8th grade. He graduated from Bagley High School in 1949. Upon graduation, he farmed with his father at Lake Itasca. He married Arlyce E. Naramore at Shevlin, Minnesota on April 11, 1953. They were married thirty years and had seven children. Bill was inducted into the Army on April 22, 1953. He served two years spending about 14 months in Augsburg, Germany where he was a Morse Code radio operator. He was honorably discharged on April 21, 1955. He returned to farming life on the family farm until April 1963 when he, his wife, and family moved West to Kelso/Longview, WA, where he resided for 42 years. Bill worked for Fibre for a short time then joined the Carpenter's Union. In 1965, Bill and Clint Smith formed Butler and Smith Construction. In 1967, the partnership was dissolved and Butler Construction was formed as sole proprietorship. Bill retired from Butler Construction Services, Inc. in 1996. On March 16, 1991, William married Kathleen R. Wallingford in Longview, WA. In June of 1991, Bill returned to Minnesota for the historic Itasca State Park Centennial Wagon Train, which covered 250 miles from St. Paul, Minnesota to Itasca State Park taking 16 days. Bill helped facilitate the lead wagon for the entire distance. This historic event celebrated the 100th anniversary of Itasca State Park and the state park system in Minnesota. Of greater importance, it marked the beginning of the State Park system in America. Bill loved and collected John Deere tractors. He showed them in the 4th of July parades and many tractor shows. Bill was an accomplished wood worker. In his retirement years, he loved making furniture, chests, tables, "Butler Boxes", and numerous other items for family and friends. He was featured in The Daily News in December 2004, where they expounded on his woodworking abilities. Bill was an active member of Robert Gray Baptist Church. He had a great love for music. He played his guitar and sang hymns of the faith and old ballads of yesteryear. In 2003, he picked up a harmonica and played for the enjoyment of us all. Survivors include: wife Kathy; Children: Cary Lee (Linda) of Longview, WA.; Robin (Donald) Stout of Kelso, WA.; Cynthia (Peter) Foley of Longview, WA.; William Jr. (Roberta) of Kelso, WA.; Brett (Tammy) of Oak Harbor, WA.; Shawnda (Jamie) Macie of Kelso, WA.; and Kristi Butler of Longview, WA.; Ex-wife Arlyce Butler of Kelso, WA.; Step-daughter Lisa (John) Pollard of Lake Oswego, OR.; nineteen grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren; one great granddaughter; and six step-great grandchildren. Brother: D. Keith Butler of Lake Itasca, MN.; Sisters: Bernice Emil of Minot, ND.; Ardis Thompson of Shevlin, MN.; and Peggy Newland of Minneapolis, MN.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by grandson Christopher Troske, stepson Joel Speakman, his parents, and two sisters Bette Lorenz and Ruth Thompson. Funeral services will be held at the Robert Gray Baptist Church, 2448 46th Ave. Longview, WA., on Friday, February 3rd, 2006 at 11:00 am, with Pastor Ken Bjorge officiating. Interment will be at Longview Memorial Park. Viewing will be held Thursday, February 2nd, 2006 from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm at Steele Chapel. Donations can be made to: Robert Gray Baptist Church, 2448 46th Ave., Longview, WA. 98632 or to Community Home Health & Hospice, P.O. Box 2067, Longview, WA. 98632. Arrangements by Steele Chapel at Longview Memorial Park & Crematory. Dear Ones,Today is the celebration of my new life with my Heavenly Father. I feel a peace that passeth all understanding. The angels took my hand and led me home. I am with loved ones I knew living on earth. It is so wonderful here. I know the most unconditional love of God. The weariness I felt on earth is gone and I am safe and strong in His presence. At first, I did not want to leave earth you know. I loved being with you. I loved going to the Grandchildren's games, getting on the bus and taking off, visiting with all my friends, spending time in the shop, and just enjoying the great out doors. Please remember me when you kiss my Grandchildren, sing a song, take a walk in the woods, go hunting, see a handcrafted item, tell a story, ride a tractor, saw a log, or give of yourself. But my hope and prayer is that you will think about where you will spend eternity. I pray the circle will not be unbroken. Please accept Jesus as your personal Savior then we can spend eternity together. BBWe would like to thank our family, relatives, friends, and neighbors for the outpouring of love and support that was shown to us. The meals, baked items, phone calls of concern, chores done, visits, flowers, cards, gifts, as well as many prayers, have been greatly appreciated. The Butler Family! 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