Roger Rillon Butler, 83, passed away March 8, 2019 at Hidden Valley Memory Care. He was born in Ogden, UT January 2, 1936 to Rillon J. and Gertrude Meibos Butler. He attended school at Dee Elementary, Mound Fort Jr. High, Ogden High and was in the first graduating class at Ben Lomond High in 1954.
He was a great athlete and participated in all sports. His first jobs were Farr’s lce Cream, Utah Concrete and Pipe, American Can, Swift and Company, Gibbons and Reed, Brewster’s at Willard Bay, Hampson Construction and Kennecott. Roger attended the University of Utah on a football scholarship and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Fine Arts and Physical Education.
He played football for them under coach Jack Curtis until both shoulders had to be repaired, at which time he lost his opportunity to play professional football and baseball and had to drop out of the Navy ROTC. He was a coach and teacher at Washington Jr. High, Highland Jr. High and Layton High School for 39 years. He also taught ceramics in night classes at Layton High.
He was greatly admired by his students, fellow coaches and teachers. He was a great artist and sent out yearly Christmas cards with a copy of one of his paintings on them. His sons and daughters-in-law, grandchildren and sisters were recipients of some of his paintings.
On August 29, 1958 he married Irene Hampson and together they are the proud parents of three wonderful sons, super daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He and Irene later divorced. He then married Mary Dawson Hill and they divorced.
He and Irene got together again and have been constant companions ever since, much to the delight of their children. Roger was a great father to his sons and taught them many things, sports, hunting, fishing and the value of hard work, to perfection, (they are all work-alcoholics) as well as a having his great sense of humor. The stubbornness is inherited from him, not taught.
He was a great supporter of his SONS and grandchildren by coaching or attending as many of their functions as he possibly could. Surviving are those he loved so very much and constantly bragged about: Merrill Butler, children Brock (Shelby) Butler, Kailey (Kyle) Norman and their mother, Kathy Wiser; Michael (Paula Maverakis) Butler, children Curtis (Danielle) Butlero Nikki (Jason) Grow, David Twigg, Michael (Misti) Forgette; Mitchell (Kimberly Bates) Butler, children; J’Cee, Karley, Kaden, Kylie Butler, Cody (Melissa) Conder; eleven great-grandchildren: Bronson Butler, Tessa, Abby, Caleb Grow; Ryker and Rhylan Butler; Zayden Conder; Layne and Taylor Forgette, Abby and Memphis Tanton. Besides lrene, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Roger is also survived by those he loved so much, sisters, Judy (Neill deceased) Meister, Lynda (Richard) Graham, and a “borrowed” daughter, Danielle Sierra and children Luka, Demitri and Matija, as well as many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends and lrene.
As he approached his centenarian years, he never lost his sense of humor, teasing and handsome looks. After giving advice (whether asked for or not) and something turned out the way he said it would, he would often say, “That is what they taught me at M.I.T.” Honoring Roger’s request, there will be no viewing or formal funeral. There will be a Celebration of his Life, to be held at a later date.
In Roger’s memory please take the time to visit a shut-in, take a friend to lunch, or make a donation in his name to a charity of your choice. Please tell those you love that you do love them-EVERY – SINGLE – DAY! He was so grateful to each and every one of you and he and his family thank you for being a part of his life.
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