William Clarence Butler (1897 - 1957)

Born 23 Nov 1897 in McAlester, Pittsburg, Oklahoma, United States

Descendants

Died 27 Aug 1957 at age 59 in Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona, United States

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Biography

Walter was born in 1897. He passed away in 1957.

Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona) - 28 Aug 1957 - p. 4 Walter Butler, Veteran Flier, Dies.

Walter C. Butler, who operated the Butler Motor Co. in Buckeye for 30 years, died yesterday morning at his Phoenix home, 1131 W. Edgemont. Mr. Butler, 59, began his career as a car dealer in 1927. He had been active in aviation in the Valley since 1929 and was well-known for his ability at instrument flying. He was a member of the Phoenix Hangar of the Quiet Birdmen's flying club. Born in McAllister (sic), Okla., in 1915 (sic) and moved to Phoenix from Buckeye in 1942. He was named Flier of Week in 1949 when he flew a mining expert to Salome in an effort to help free a man trapped in a mine shaft there. During World War II, he instructed instrument training for army contract services in Phoenix. Als a member of the Maricopa Sheriff's Air Posse, he took part in cross-country air races. Mr Butler also belonged to the El Zaribah Shrine, Glendale Masonic Lodge, Yorkrites, Phoenix Country Club, and Arizona Club. He is survived by his wife, Irene; two sons, William, Buckeye, and Lt. (jg) Harold, Oak Harbor, Wash., and five grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow at A.L. Moore and Sons Mortuary, 333 W. Adams. Officiating will be Dr. J. Ford Forsyth. Burial will be in the Louis B. Hazelton Cemetery in Buckeye.

Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona) - 29 Aug 1957, Thu - p. 8 Butler Death Called Accident.

A widely known Buckeye automobile dealer unintentionally closed himself in the family garage with a killer he could neither see nor hear, a coroner's jury decided yesterday. Walter C. Butler, 59, of 1131 W. Edgemont, died in "an accident as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning," the jury decided after an inquest before Coroner Charles F. Coppock. His son, William J. Butler, secretary-treasurer of the Butler Motor Co., told the jury he sat in the garage with the engine of a car running as long as three or four minutes early Tuesday. He was having a last few words with his father about business affairs that had thrown them together during the preceding evening. As he backed out, he testified, he saw his father close himself inside the double doors of the garage, apparently intending to leave through a door leading into the house. Three hours later, Butler's wife, Irene, found him dead. He was on the garage floor beside his own car. But the ignition key was in the off position and the car had not heated up as might be expected had it been running inside the garage. The family doctor expressed belief Butler had died of a heart ailment from which he suffered two years. The family doctor agreed to sign the death certificate. But an embalmer detected the telltale cherry red discolorations on the body usually associated with carbon monoxide poisoning. The doctors were notified and they requested a police investigation. Dr Thomas B. Jarvis, deputy county medical examiner, testified an autopsy showed 82 per cent of Butler's blood impregnated with carbon monoxide, which is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Forty per cent usually is fatal, he told the jury. He said the poison could have been breathed over a short period from a large quantity of accumulated gas or over a long period, from a small quantity of gas. Butler, a pioneer private flier was widely known in Phoenix club and lodge circles. [Articles provided by G47] Thank you.

by: *Rose

Sources

• Personal knowledge
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/57359971/walter-clarence-butler