William & Lillian Butler

William ‘Bill’ Lee Butler passed away quietly Sept. 13, 2021; five days short of his 99th birthday with family by his side. Bill was born in Carthage, Ark. to William Franklin Butler and Carry Bell House Butler. Bill was the second of four kids. Bill grew up in Leola, Ark. on the family farm where they raised cattle in partnership with Bills uncle, Walter Butler. Bill lived in Leola until the start of WWII at which time he joined the U.S. Navy along with his brothers Bob and George. They had hoped to serve together but that was not to be. Bill was sent to Daytona Beach in Florida where he trained as an aviation’s mate. Upon completion of his training, he was set to be sent to the Pacific theater and had boarded the ship when he contracted measles and was taken off the ship for recovery. He was eventually sent from Florida to the Aleutian Islands where the Japanese had occupied some of the islands up there. Bill would joke about arriving in the Aleutians and rolling out his bed and it had ice in it and when he woke the next morning the ice was still in his bed. After the war Bill was discharged in Florida however while he was gone his parents had moved to Omak, Wash. Bill decided to join them and started riding the rails across country which was not uncommon after the war. Bill joked how he was caught by railroad security in Texas and arrested. As his punishment he was to heard sheep for a few weeks. Bill always laughed at that. When he finally arrived in Washington, he got on with the Civilian Conservation Corps or CCC as it was known at the time. He worked there and the money he made would be sent to his parents. Bill had many other jobs for the next few years. Some time with the railroad, construction on Chief Joseph Dam and 13 years at Biles & Coleman Lumber Co. working in the powerhouse and farming which he did from 1947 until he retired in 1985. In 1947 Bill married Evelyn Breech who was also from Arkansas and was here visiting friends. She came for a short visit and remained here with Bill for the next 74 years. Bill and Evelyn spent many years vacationing in Arizona with most of their time spent in Yuma where they had many great friends from all over the country. Bill and Evelyn had three kids, Rita, Dale, and John. Bill was a great dad. He was always there for you and taught us all great values and work ethic. He never got mad or raised his voice to anyone. Bill loved his kids, his five grandkids, 12 great-grandkids, and one great-great-granddaughter. Bill was preceded in death by his parent; brothers, Bob, and George; sister, Mary; and his wife of almost 74 years, Evelyn, who passed just two months prior. He is survived by his children, Rita Horner, of Wenatchee, Wash., Dale Butler, of Yuma, Ariz., and John and wife Donna, of Omak; and adopted daughter, Nelda Pattison, of Omak. He also survived by his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchild. We will truly miss his funny comments, his laugh, and his big smile. Lillian Evelyn Breech Butler left this world June 28, 2021, surrounded by her family. She was born Nov. 15, 1926, to John Lushion Breech and Pearle Mae Camp Breech in Sheridan, Ark., she grew up on a farm located in what is known as the Faith Community with her older brother, Bill Breech. They had many good times on the farm and created lasting memories that were spoken of often when they were together. Evelyn graduated from Watson Chapel High School in 1943 and went on to cosmetology school. She worked in the local area after completion of cosmetology school for a few years where she met what would be a lifelong friend, Margie Dial. In 1947 she came to Omak, Wash. to visit Margie and her husband, Ed Dial, who had relocated to the area. They introduced her to Ed’s good friend, Bill Butler, and after a whirlwind romance they were married in October of 1947. It was a marriage that would endure almost 74 years. It would be several years before Evelyn would return home to Arkansas and she spoke of her regrets of not having her parents there when she married and the long time between visits. Evelyn worked as a cosmetologist for 30 years, owning and operating her own business, while also helping on the family orchard they owned north of Omak. Evelyn’s Beauty Salon was a well-known business in the Omak area and served many loyal customers over those 30 years. It wasn’t uncommon for Evelyn to be styling hair at 5:30 a.m. and still be in her shop at 9 p.m. when Bill would come home for lunch after working the swing shift at the local lumber mill. She retired in 1976 and she and Bill traveled the U.S. and Mexico in their motorhome. They finally settled down and maintained a winter home in Yuma, Ariz. for many years where they made many close friends. Evelyn never had idle hands. She was always knitting, crocheting, doing needle work or working with her quilting machine. She was an excellent piano and organ player and loved to paint and do ceramics. She was an avid gardener and always kept a neat and flowered yard which she took great pride in. She was a volunteer on the Veterans bus for many years receiving many awards for her service. She loved to volunteer and help others but was reluctant to let others help her when that time came. Evelyn is survived by her husband, Bill, of 73 years; daughter, Rita Horner, of Wenatchee, Wash.; son, Dale Butler, of Yuma; and son, John Butler, and wife, Donna, of Omak, Wash. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Ruthie Lee Breech, of Pine Bluff, Ark.; a special niece, Phyllis Lawson, and husband, Jerry, of Pine Bluff who were always good to keep in touch with her; and special friend and adopted daughter, Nelda Patison, of Omak. Evelyn had five grandkids, 12 great-grandkids and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Lushion and Pearle Mae Breech; and her brother, Bill Breech. A special thanks to Frontier Hospice for all the care and attention they provided Evelyn and the family and Apple Springs who went above and beyond during the last year to help the family through all the ups and downs. A graveside service for William and Lillian will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, May 14th at the Okanogan Valley Memorial Gardens.

William & Lillian Butler

June 28, 2021 - September 13, 2021