William 'Bill' Wesley Butterfield

William “Bill” Wesley Butterfield of Olathe passed away on February 3, 2014, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction after a brief illness. Bill was born on November 29, 1927, in Olathe to Rolla Laverne and Edith Eva (Anderson) Butterfield.  He was the youngest of five children.  He was a brother to Laverne John,  Arlene Eva, Robert Lee, and Fern Elizabeth.

He spent his childhood in Olathe and graduated from Olathe High School in 1945.  He served his country in the United States Navy from 1945 to1946.  He returned to Olathe and married Phyllis Arlene Krill on September 5, 1948.

From their marriage came daughter Sheryl Lynn and son Phillip Wesley. Bill retired from a paying job of 39 years (Montrose Country Road and Bridges) but even up until the time of his death he never gave up the working part.  He loved all outdoor activities centered around family, camping, hunting, and fishing.   He was a master craftsman and enjoyed many hours in his workshop building and creating beautiful pieces of woodwork.

Hallmarks of Bill’s life included his witty sense of humor, willingness and ability to fix anything, and natural talent as a gardener.  He wore many hats, literally and figuratively.  He excelled at all these endeavors with his love for spending time with his family at the top.

He is survived by his wife Phyllis Butterfield, his daughter Sheryl (Harvey) Starbuck, Montrose, CO; his son Phillip (Patricia) Butterfield, Spokane, WA; five grandchildren: Natasha Starbuck, Sara Starbuck, Caleb Starbuck, James Starbuck, Tristan Butterfield, and three great-grandchildren: Greta, Heidi, and August Starbuck.  Bill is also survived by his sister Arlene Eva McLaren, and nephews Lee, Harold, and Gary McLaren, nieces Sharon (Lewis) and Beverly McLaren.  He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Robert, Laverne, and Fern (Rider).

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, February 8, 2014, at the Olathe Assembly of God Church in Olathe, Colorado.  Internment will follow at Olathe Cemetery.  A viewing will be held at the Crippin Funeral Home, Montrose, on Friday, February 7, 2014, from 4-6pm.