James Butler

James (Jim) Edward Butler, 69, passed away after a lengthy illness at La Posada Mesilla Valley Hospice. Jim was born at Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada to Rose Durick and Benjamin Butler (both deceased); he joins them and his great grandson Jayce Deatz, 18 months old and his two sisters Virginia Baker and Donna Konesky and his Lord on April 13, 2015. Jim met his bride-to-be on January 1, 1964 Joan (Pie) Murphy on a blind date in their senior year at Kellogg High School and became good friends through the courtship then felt marriage was the next step which occurred in October of 1964. Jim was an underground trolley motorman for 6 years for Bunker Hill Mining Corp. in Kellogg, Idaho. Then moved to San Manuel, Arizona in 1971 where he was employed by Magma Copper Co./Broken Hills Properties for 28 years as an underground 20-ton motorman. BHP retired him in 1999 due to a closure. Jim received 2 "safety award" belt buckles and an engraved knife and several safety training certificates for outstanding workmanship with his crew on safety at Magma Copper Co. Jim then went back to school attending Araivaipa Campus of Central Arizona College for the Fast-Track Welding Program that BHP offered him because of the mine closure-called re-skilling. As he was always a backyard welder he decided getting a certificate in welding was a good thing in welding. On March 2, 2000 he was awarded the successful completion of the Fast-Track Welding Program. He was on the Dean's List each quarter. Jim loved the great outdoors; fishing was his main activity especially with Joan and their four children. Camping and boating were also great pleasures on the lakes and river of Arizona. Traveling was an outlet that he enjoyed after being underground for months. He showed the children all the Pacific Northwest and Southwest and liked California best because of Disneyland, Knottsberry Farm, San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park and numerous other parks, museums and camping places, he was a child at heart. Although Jim was shy he was a great teaser and light practical joker. His smile and laugh lit you up. He loved his family greatly, they are: Debborah Sue (Pooh) Martin (Mike Kruger), Marble Falls, TX. Children Amber Dawn Mendenhall (children Keili Rhayne Chattin, Isabeal Maya Navarro Mendenhall), Las Vegas, NV; Erik William Mendenhall, Idaho. Rebekkah Lynne Mendenhall (Jaimie Adreana Joylene, Veronica Marie and Brayden Mendenhall), Tomball, TX. Kevin James (Cheetah) Butler (Glenda Armstrong) son Adam Douglas, White Sands, NM. Katherine Nicole Butler (children Kayden James, Virginia Beach, VA), Melissa Rene and Crystal Dawn both of White Sands, NM). Cebryna Anne (Beanie) Butler-Wadusky (Jason Luther), children Jordan Mikal Paul Butler-Wadusky (son Noah Matthews); Christopher Jonn and Zachary Allan Wadusky; Sarah Elizabeth Wadusky (children Emmalyn Grace and Jayce William (deceased) Wadusky all of Lawton, OK). Robert Jonn Butler, Kechekan, AK (son Santana Tanner, Bellingham, WA.) Nieces and nephews: Shannon (Mike) Smith-Logan and Breanne Ashley Smith, Great Falls, MT; Benjamin Stephen Konesky (Deana) - Rowan and Wren Konesky, Cascade, MT. Elizabeth (Maury) Reichelt-Reid, Seth and Claire Reichelt, Carson City, NV.; Angela (Dallas) Crosky, Verde, WA; Owen (Eileen) Wells; James Edward Wells and Kimberly Baker, Spokane, WA. In-laws: Dale P. Murphy, Spokane Valley, WA; Marian McQuie, Tucson, AZ; Lorrie Ann McQuie, Tucson, AZ; Morgan (Julian Jess, J.J.) Ruiz children Trecyne, Juliana Jess and Valentina Lucia, Tucson, AZ; Debbie Hammett, Sierra Vista, AZ; Nikki (Matt) Klopp - twins Griffin Wendell, Elliott Catherine, Phoenix, AZ; David Haxton-James Allen Haxton, Phoenix, AZ; Janice (Dan) Sutkaitis-Angela and Kyle Sutkaitis, Auburn, CA; Helen Schoener, Post Falls, ID-Kenneth (Connie) Richter, Spokane Valley, WA; Paul (Lynn) Richter, Redmond, WA; Glen Redekop, Coeur d'Alene, ID-Diane (Gary) Gann-Justin and Brandon Gann, Post Falls, ID; Angela (Larry) Seiverding-Joe and Jacob Seiverding, Coeur d'Alene, ID. PDF Printable Version