LEROY (LEE) CLAY BUTLER
Passed away peacefully on January 3, 2020 at Arcadia where he had lived for nearly 30 years. He was 100 years old. Lee was born May 29, 1919 in Truman, Minnesota and grew up in St. Charles, MN where he lived with his brother Frank, and parents Bartlett and Pearl Butler. After completing high school, he became an athletic coach in the Works Progress Administration's Recreation Program. In September 1940, he enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard. Four months later he was mobilized into active federal service by a Presidential Proclamation issued by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In August 1941 he arrived on Kodiak Island, Alaska where he served 3 years. After the war he settled in Winona, MN where he worked for the Winona National and Savings Bank. Sometime during his employment there, he came under the watchful eye of Grace Watkins King, the heiress of Watkins Products and co-owner of the bank with her husband. Lee became her personal assistant. After the death of her husband, Mrs King moved to Hawaii and took Lee with her. He continued to manage her personal business until her death in 1975. Lee met and married Ann Byrne Moranz in May 1965. They enjoyed numerous cruises and traveled to the East Coast to visit with both of their families in Philadelphia and Florida. Ann Butler predeceased Lee in 1997 after 32 years of marriage. He is survived by his step-son Andrew J. Speese and step-daughter Ann S. Giese, who both live on Oahu. He is also survived by his nephews Frank and Mark Butler, 4 grandchildren, Kevin and Andrea Speese, Samuel Giese and Erin Garcia; 5 great-grandchildren and numerous grand and great-grand nieces and nephews. Lee is also survived by his long time friend, Elaine Stroka. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. There will be a Celebration of Life at Arcadia on February 5. Visitation at 0930 and service at 1000. He was buried in a private ceremony at the Hawaii Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased