Duane T. 'Buck' Butler

Duane T. "Buck" Butler, 87, of Lewistown died early Wednesday morning, September 27^th, 2017, in the Central Montana Health & Rehab Center of natural causes.  He was born December 7, 1929 in Lewistown, the son of Wesley and Marguerite (Benjamin) Butler, Sr.  He received his early schooling in the Plum Creek School and then Fergus High School in Lewistown, graduating in 1948.  He went to Missoula to the University of Montana for 1 year and entered the U.S. Navy Reserve in Seattle, WA on April 16, 1947 serving on the U.S.S. Buck, receiving his discharge on December 6, 1951.  Prior to his Naval discharge he enlisted in the U.S. Army on February 8, 1951 in Butte, MT.  He served during the Korean War and received his honorable discharge on January 20, 1953 at Fort Lewis, WA.  During his Army service he received the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. While in the Army he was united in marriage to Mary Kottas on June 11, 1951 in Lewistown and they made their home in California while he finished his time in the Army.  Following his discharge, they returned to Lewistown where he worked at Lewistown Hardware and the Montana Department of Highways before returning to the family ranch in the Moulton area in the mid 1950's, where they ranched and raised their family.

Buck enjoyed time with his family, playing poker, hunting and traveling. In Lewistown his coffee club was a source of enjoyment for the last several years.

He was a member of the V.F. W. and the American Legion and in the 1970's the Fergus County Sheriff's Posse.

Buck is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary, of Lewistown; sons Gary (Peggy) of Lewistown, Billy (Natalie) and Tommy (Karla) both of Hilger; three grandchildren Garrett (Krischelle), Dawn (Ty) Zackus and Brandy (Joel) Barber; four great grandchildren Chelsea, Laurel, Salena and Mercedez and several nieces and nephews; as well as brother-in-law Gene (Patty) Kottas in Washington and sister-in-law Betty Butler of Billings, MT.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Wesley Jr. and Glen and one sister Rita Wiltgen.

Private family services for Duane (Buck) Butler will be held at a later date.  The Cloyd Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Friends are asked to make memorials to Hospice of Central Montana or the charity of their choice and they may be left at the Cloyd Funeral Home.  Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.