Paul Albert Butler

"Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father." — L.M. Child

Paul Albert Butler, father of 14 children, grandfather of 24 and great-grandfather of 13, died Friday April 22, in Chinook, Mont. He was 86.

Paul was born November 30, 1918 in Birch Tree, Missouri to Thomas and Josephine Butler. He was one of 12 children and also had a half-sister from his father's second marriage.

In 1938, Paul moved to Chinook and began his career with the U&I Sugar Company. It was in the little town in northern Montana that Paul met and fell in love with Katherine McArthur. They were married June 22, 1941.

The couple moved to Spokane, where Paul briefly worked as an airplane mechanic at Geiger Field. Shortly thereafter, they returned to Chinook. When the sugar factory there closed, the family moved to Moses Lake, Wash. and later Idaho Falls, Idaho.

During his career with U&I, Paul was president of a local union group and vice president of the International Sugar Workers Union. When Paul retired in 1987, he was superintendent of the Idaho Falls factory. After retiring, the couple moved back to Chinook.

Paul was a youth baseball coach and umpire, and enjoyed woodworking and playing poker. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles for 65 years and was recognized as being the longest-serving member in the state of Montana.

In 1996, Paul was named "Chinook Senior of the Year."

He and Katherine also volunteered at the senior center and loved spending time with their grandchildren. The couple was together for 60 years until Katherine's death in 2001.

Paul is also preceded in death by a son, Douglas Paul; a daughter, Paula Jean; and a great-granddaughter Kylie Reese Butler.

He is survived by son, William Butler of Seattle, Wash.; son, James Butler and wife Dee of Shannon, Ireland; son, Thomas Butler of Seattle, Wash.; daughter, Peggy Albright and husband Doug of Spokane, Wash.; daughter, Linda Depner of Kirkland, Wash.; son, Robert Butler of Bainbridge Island, Wash.; daughter, Sheri Butler of Kirkland, Wash.; son, Richard Butler and wife Debera of Eagle, Idaho; son, Donald Butler and wife Kristine of Bellingham, Wash.; daughter, Deborah Collette and husband Alan of Idaho Falls, Idaho; daughter, Kelly Butler of Twin Falls, Idaho; daughter, Shelly Bedsworth and husband Tim of Idaho Falls, Idaho; and 24 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Elizabeth Rose Hays

Elizabeth Rose Hays, infant sister of William Leo Hays and daughter of Todd and Leona Hays, was born at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 30, 2005. She passed away in Spokane at 6 p.m. Monday, May 2, 2005.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 7, 2005 at Kayser's Chapel of Memories with Father John Morse officiating.

Private burial will follow at a later date in Pioneer Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel and Crematory, Moses Lake.