Elizabeth Mae Willey Butler (Beth) 84 years young left this life early Tuesday morning, April 29, 2014 in Helena, Montana. She was a fiercely, independent woman who enjoyed people.
She was born to Raymond Clyde Willey and Sarah Jane (Hamilton) Willey on August 13, 1929 in Schenectady, New York. She attended elementary and high school in Elmira, New York. She completed her registered nurse’s training at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York. She worked at Porter Community Hospital in Middlebury, Vermont for 32 years, primarily as a supervisor for the emergency and operating rooms.
She married Arthur W. Butler on October 11, 1952 in Bristol, Vermont. In 1986, she moved to Houston, Texas where she semi-retired from nursing to pursue new adventures. She loved working for the Houston Astros baseball team and looked forward to the home games which kept her active and involved. She also enjoyed working with the Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau. She loved volunteering for Houston Proud, a group that promotes city activities. She loved to work out, shop, knit, craft and dance.
In February of 2014, she moved to Helena, Montana to be closer to family.
She is survived by her five boys and six grandchildren: William R. Butler (Susan) and their children W. Ryan Butler and Meagan (Masaki) Nakagawa, all from Helena, Montana; David N. Butler, Fayston, Vermont (Mary Warner of Roxbury, Vermont), their children; Joshua Butler and (Cathy Blake) of South Royalton, Vermont, Shawna Butler of Huntington, Vermont; Paul A. Butler, Missoula, Montana; James E. Butler, Bristol, Vermont; and Richard D. Butler (Sara) of Lawton, Pennsylvania, and their children, Casey Butler of Victor, Montana, Cody Butler of Lawton; plus several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Raymond and Sara Willey, her half brother Robert Willey, her sister and brother in law, Elvira and Walt Tennant.
Her family would like to thank Linda and staff for everything they provided in her short stay at Sonheaven Assisted Living Facility. We would like to acknowledge her friend and personal trainer Chris Collins for his kindness.
A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Friday, May 2, 2014 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home with a reception to follow the service in the Social Hall of the funeral home. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Elizabeth.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
12:00 p.m.
Friday May 2, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the memorial service
Friday May 2, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
12:00 p.m.
Friday May 2, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the memorial service
Friday May 2, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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"Us Places", Bud & Carol says
Dear Bill, Sue and all the Butler Boys and Families~
We are so sorry for the sudden loss of your mother. For many years, she helped a lot of people with her medical expertise. Later in life, she also helped a lot of people enjoy themselves in the tourism industry. She was definitely one-of-a-kind and will be missed.
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Blessings to all of you in this difficult time.
………………………Bud & Carol, “Us Places”, Cascade, Montana
beth voyles says
oh my goodness. my condolences to beths family. i am one of the caregivers that took care of beth. even though she was only with us for a short time, i really enjoyed her. we clicked from the minute she walked in the door because of our names and my love for her grew from there. what a nice lady and i will always have wonderful memories of her. please know how much she is going to be missed. prayers to the family go out to you all. all my sympathy to you. beth voyles.
Chris Collins says
Dear Family of Beth,
Your Mother, Grandmother, Mother in Law, was one of my very first clients when I moved to Houston in late 1995. I estimate I trained (I work as a personal trainer) Beth approximately 1800 times over the course of the past 18 years. You could set your watch by Beth, because she was never ever late for a session. I feel like I know all of you personally because all she talked about was her kids and her grandkids. I have many fond memories of Beth outside the gym as well. She came to our home from time to time to have dinner with us during some holidays. I would from time to time climb to the top of Minute Maid Park and visit her while she was working. She was a stickler for kicking people out of seats if they did not have a ticket for her section. As you know she volunteered at many many events here in Houston. She loved getting out and about and visiting with people. I stopped training Beth a few months back because it just got to the point where she was not able to make good use of her time at the gym. I would call her from time to time and check up on her. I’m so glad to know that she was able to be close to family the past few months of her life. She loved getting the phone calls from all of you, especially the grandkids. She was so proud of all of you and bragged about you constantly. It was my pleasure to train her and be her friend and to help in anyway I could. I understand because my mom lives by herself in my hometown and my siblings and I also count on the kindness of friends and neighbors to help her from time to time. I will miss Beth but will carry many many fond memories of her with me for the rest of my life. Just know that she loved all of you very very much and as I mentioned earlier, was so so proud of all of you.
My Condolences,
Chris Collins
Houston Texas