Hugh Butler

Hugh Randolph Butler, 93, went to be with the Lord on Nov. 26, 2018. He was born on a farm near Lingle, Wyo., on Sept. 10, 1925, to Hugh A. and Helen [Randolph] Butler. He was the third of nine brothers. He was drafted into the Army during his senior year in high school in January 1944 to serve in combat as a radio man and later in charge of German prisoners in the World War II European Theater. He was honorably discharged May 4, 1946, as a sergeant in the Army.

After the war, he attended two years at the University of Wyoming, taking mechanical engineering. Then he worked in construction for two years. In January 1950, he came to Hot Springs, Mont., to work in the creamery business for a year, and then worked at Holt Motor Sales.

During that time, Hugh married Virginia Singleton on Sept. 6, 1952. Later, to support a growing family of two daughters, he worked in the lumber industry as a logging truck driver, mechanic and a millwright for about 40 years.

After his retirement, he became an EMT for the Hot Springs Ambulance for 11 years. He also served on both the Hot Springs Ambulance Board and the Senior Citizens Board. He was a deacon at the Hot Springs Bible Church, and a Golden Legacy Life Member of the VFW.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years; parents; and five brothers and four sister-in-laws. Hugh is survived by daughters, Helen Sue (Ed) Johnson of Plains, Mont., and Julie Butler of Reno, Nev.; brothers, Jerry (Lois) Butler of Florida, Glen (Bonnie) Butler of Wyoming, and George Butler of Virginia; sister-in-law, Jo Butler of Nevada; grandchildren, Amanda (Casey) Ford of Livingston, Mont., and Michael Johnson of Bozeman, Mont.

A memorial service will be held Dec. 8, 2018, at 2 p.m. in the Hot Springs School’s old gym, with a potluck following in the school lunchroom. A private family graveside service will be held at the Murray Memorial Cemetery before the service. The family requests memorial donations be made to the Hot Springs Bible Church, Box 628, Hot Springs, MT 59845.