Ronald L Butler age 88, passed away at the Washington Regional Hospital on Friday, April 7, 2023.
He is survived by his wife Lyndall (Eastman) Butler of Springdale, daughter Kathleen Potter of Las Vegas, NV; daughter in law Sharon (Arzt) Butler of New Lisbon, WI; Brother Thomas O Butler and wife Carol (Toepfer) of Manitowish Waters, WI; Sisters in law; Beverly (Nunes) Butler of Winlock, WA and Janet (Eastman) Helgerson of Hillsboro, WI. Stepsons; Curt Crooks (Vicky) Cris Crooks (Allison). Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and Great-Great Grandchildren, along with Nieces and Nephews and many friends he made during his lifetime.
He was born in Hillsboro, WI on August 2, 1934, the middle child of 5 boys, to Earl and Margie (Shaker) Butler. He attended Hillsboro schools, graduating in 1952. His strong work ethic and ability to fix almost everything came from working on the family farm. He always spoke about using a team of horses (Fuzzy and Dolly) to do the field work before they owned a tractor.
Ron’s military career started when, still in high school, he enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard in January, 1952 and was employed at the USPFO in Camp Williams, WI. During the Berlin Crisis Ron and his unit were called up and spent a year at Ft. Lewis, WA. Shortly after that, he made the decision to make the Army his career. He received his commission when he graduated from Class 01 of the Wisconsin Military Academy.
For the next 33 years, he and his family traveled across the country doing one to two year tours of duty. He served in Thailand, Saudi Arabia and two tours in Vietnam. He achieved the rank of Lt. Colonel and retired in June, 1985. He received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and numerous other commendations and was an expert marksman.
He was a true patriot as his service to his country shows. Friends and neighbors can also attest to that, because of the American flag that has flown in the yard of the house, since he moved to Springdale, AR.
Ron and his wife, Lyndall were Hillsboro High School sweethearts who married on Valentine’s Day 1954. Daughter Kathleen was born in 1955 and Son Ronald David in 1956.
After retirement, Ron spent time volunteering at the VA Hospital in Fayetteville, AR and was instrumental in the purchases of adjoining properties for the Fayetteville National Cemetery expansion; leading the RNCIC for many years. He was a Lifetime member of the 25th Infantry Division Association, MOAA-Military Officers Association of America, the SAMO Lodge 32 in Hillsboro, WI, the Camp Douglas, WI American Legion Post 133, and the NRA. He was an avid gardener and was into organic gardening before it became popular.
His true passion was firearms. He started collecting at age 14 and knew more about guns and ammunition than the “experts”. He has an extensive library of books on the subject and loved to talk about it. He enjoyed reloading and tried to teach others how to do it using his “recipes”.
He was a kind, generous and patient man who loved his Family and his Country.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son Ronald David, brothers; Earl James, William L and Stephen D. Former wife; Carolyn Fogle and many Aunts, Uncles and cousins.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Springdale. Services will be Private. Interment will be in the Fayetteville National Cemetery with full military honors. The Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family.
The family would like to express its gratitude and appreciation to the ICU team at Washington Regional Hospital, Dr. Zubair Ahmed and his team, as well as Hospital chaplains; Brian and Vanessa, along with Pastor Susan Arnold of the First Presbyterian Church of Springdale. Your kindness and support will never be forgotten.
