Harold C. Butcher, 93

Harold C. Butcher, 93, passed away very peacefully on June 15, 2018, in Kalispell, with his family by his side.

Harold was born in Independence, Missouri, on March 27, 1925, to Earl and Angela Butcher, He graduated from William Chrisman High School in Independence. After graduation, at 17 he joined the Navy. He served from 1943 to 1946. Harold was deployed with the initial invasion on Okinawa on Easter Sunday 1945. Then he was sent to Sakishima, Japan. Harold married his high school sweetheart Margaret on March 8, 1943, They had four children, Bonnie Sue, Harold Wayne, Diane Jean, and Claudia Kay. Bonnie died in a car accident and Harold and Margaret raised the girls, Lesia and Tresha.

Harold was involved in the VFW, the Moose and American Legion. He worked at the A&P in Independence until 1970. He then moved his family to El Monte, California, and worked at Safeway until he retired. In 2016 Harold moved to Montana to be with his daughter. He really enjoyed the VFW in Kalispell. They have wonderful people here. Harold got to ride in the Fourth of July Parade with fellow veterans. He was a very proud World War II veteran. Harold enjoyed his grandsons and family here in Kalispell. His great- grandchildren loved him so much, Travys, Gabriella, Treyson and Brody, and brought him so many smiles and happy times. Harold attended Flathead Ecklesia Church; Pastor Larry Lautaret prayed with him and brought him to the Lord. He also baptized him a year ago at church camp. Praise the Lord for now he is with God, and his wife and family.

Harold was preceded in death by his wife Margaret; they were married for 57 years; children Harold Wayne, who passed as an infant; Diane, Bonnie Sue, grandchildren Eric Jonathan and David Jonathan.

Harold is survived by Claudia and Pete Ampudia; grandchildren, Lesia Gage, Tresha Marshall, Claudia Jo Brown, Christa Allen, Jerry Sidener, Peter C. Ampudia, Ryan Ampudia; sisters, Margie Carlock and Shirley Marsh; and eight great-grandchildren.

Memorial may made be made to the Ampudia family to help cover the cost of the services. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday July 7, at the VFW in Kalispell. Friends are encouraged to visit the website at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.