Butch Forsyth, 64
Butch Forsyth was born in Billings on April 9, 1952. He moved his family to Lakeside in 1987 and they lived on Blacktail Road for 17 years. Butch was the only son of Marjorie Lacey Forsyth and Eugene Francis Forsyth Sr. Though named Eugene Jr. after his father, he was known as “Butch” his entire life. When he introduced himself, he’d say, “If ya call me Francis… I’d have to kill ya.”
Butch had a quick wit and was a storyteller! He had a lifelong love for hunting, fishing, exploring and hiking. He found his religion through respecting and experiencing God’s outdoor creations, which he called his “church.”
After high school, Butch served as a squadron leader in the Montana Army National Guard for six years during the Vietnam War. He was a skilled marksman and was recruited to be a sniper. Butch graduated from Miles City Custer County High School in 1970.
He married his high school sweetheart, Kolleen Waldo, on May 8, 1971. To this union, two daughters were born, Buffy and Chantelle. The Forsyths lived in Billings, Laurel, Forsyth and Lakeside while raising their daughters.
Butch was administrator/operator for Lakeside Sewer and Water District from 1987 to 2004, and worked with the Environmental Protection Agency on the multi-million dollar project to bring sanitary sewer along the West Shore of Flathead Lake. It’s because of this project that Flathead Lake is clear and crystal blue to this day. He was a lifetime outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting elk, deer, caribou and coyotes, and was also able to hunt a 2,000-pound rogue buffalo. One shot from his 50-caliber black powder rifle and the buffalo was down. Butch held an Federal Firearms License for over 20 years, and named his firearms business “Bulldog Arms.” He was a knowledgeable resource to many people on firearms, ammunitions and hunting tactics.
During retirement in Iowa, Butch was diagnosed with severe COPD in 2016. His wishes were to return to our home state for Montana’s drier climate and to live close to family and our five grandchildren again. The beginning of that move was underway … his famous Hawaiian shirts, cowboy boots and straw hat were packed!
His last day was spent in Montana with family celebrating his return. It was a good day. On May 27, 2018, he passed away, sleeping peacefully at the age of 66. He had come full circle … back to Montana where he was born.
Butch is survived by his wife of 47 years, Kolleen, his daughters and sons-in-law, Buffy and Rick Stiles, and Chantelle and Tyson Buhre; his five grandchildren, Madison, Krueger, Brooklyn, Konnor and Kiara; his sister, Sharlene and Larry Anderson, plus a large extended family and friends. Also in his Fan Club are English Bulldogs, Griz and Maizee, who constantly shadowed his every move.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, at the Cremation & Funeral Gallery, 29 Eighth Street West, Billings.