Oscar Albert “Al” Butts, Jr.

Oscar Albert “Al” Butts, Jr., 87, died Saturday, July 25, 2009, in Amarillo.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 30, 2009, in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Rev. Dave Stout, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Howardwick, officiating. Burial with US Army Honors will be in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Al was born August 7, 1921, in Erick, Okla. and was a graduate of Shamrock High School. He was one of nine children. He was a disabled veteran of World War II. Mr. Butts served with the 866th Air Engineering Squadron, 440th Air Service Group, and the 8th Air Force in European Theater from March 1945 to February 1946. He was in charge of central radio and radar shop. He handled all installation and maintenance of very high frequency equipment in fighter air craft. During this time he earned 5 bronze stars for campaigns in European-African-Middle Eastern Theater, Rhineland, “Ardennes”, Central Europe and Germany. Other military awards include American Theater Campaign Ribbon, EAME Campaign Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Ribbon, Service Stripe and 3 overseas service bars. Mr. Butts worked 31 years for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company before retiring. Al and his wife, Penny, enjoyed the time they spent fishing with family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Penny on March 26, 2009.

Survivors include a son, Dave Butts of Howardwick; a daughter, Trisha Beach and husband Ronnie of Olathe, Kansas; a brother, Jim Butts and wife Carrie Jo of Burnet; a sister, Ruby Jean Peterson of Modesto, Cali.; three grandchildren, Jessie Beach of Los Angeles, Cali., Sarah Kershner and husband Ben of New Britain, Conn., and Alissa Atkinson and husband Grant of Amarillo; three great grandchildren, Audrey, Ethan, and Emma.

The family requests memorials be to the Howardwick Volunteer Fire Department, 247 Rick Husband Blvd., Howardwick, Texas 79226

Sign our online guestbook at www.RobertsonFuneral.com.