California Obituaries, Los Angeles County

Submitted by Peggy Hooper 

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The Downey Eagle
July 13, 2001 Volume 9 Number 21

Willie (Bill) and Thelma LaRue Butler remembered
DOWNEY-Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 14, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's 
Witnesses, 11212 Woodruff Ave., for Willie (Bill) Butler, who died June 28, and his wife, Thelma LaRue 
Butler, who died June 29. 
He was 91, born Oct. 8, 1909 near Brice, Missouri. She was 87, born July 19, 1913 near Woodston, 
Kansas. 
At age seven he moved with his family by covered wagon to a ranch near Woodston. They were married 
Dec. 25, 1929, 71� years ago. 
Together they operated a cream station and cafe in Ionia, Kansas, a cafe in Formoso, Kansas, and a 
maintenance service in Santa Monica, California. After moving to Fort Collins, Colorado, Bill worked on 
construction of the Horsetooth Dam, Dairygold, Sterling Company, and Heath Engineering. Thelma 
worked as a cook for drive-ins, including Buckeye, Jo's and Hurley's. 
They lived in Southern California and Oregon for several years, and have resided in Downey for the 
past 8� years. 
Bill was an elder with the Jehovah's Witnesses and former presiding overseer in Fort Collins, Colorado. 
They have been members for 51 years. 
Bill, the third of nine children, is survived by brothers Bacil Butler of Ordway, Colorado, Riggle Butler of 
Beloit, Kansas; and a sister, Famy Fry of Stockton, California. 
Thelma, the fifth of five children, is survived by a sister, Estella Taylor of Mankato, Kansas. 
Survivors include daughters Pryntha Winfrey of Fort Collins, Colorado, Coralea (Gene) Yaw of Downey; 
a son, Gary (Connee) Butler of Jacksonville, Florida; nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and 
three great-great-grandchildren. 
They were preceded in death by a daughter, Patricia.