Hal F. Butler

Hal F. Butler, 92, returned home to his Heavenly Father late in the evening of Friday, March 9, 2018, surrounded by his loving family.  He was born on a Saturday, April 4, 1925, in Show Low, Arizona to his parents, the late Julius Ray and Dicy May (Adams) Butler.  Hal had five brothers and sisters; all of whom have preceded him in death. They were Luana, Claude, Robert, Valoe and Wade.  Along with his parents and siblings, Hal was also preceded in death by his loving wife, Peggy.

Hal love growing up in the small community of Show Low and attended school in Show Low and high school in Snowflake.  

On December 7, 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and the United States declared war against Japan.  In 1943, Hal quit school during his Senior year and joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 18.  After basic training in San Diego and flight gunnery school in El Toro, California, he was sent to the Pacific Theater of the war, where he served his country honorably.

When he returned home from the war, Hal married his high school sweetheart, Peggy Jean Pace, in 1945.  Together, they raised three sons:  Gary (Gail), Greg (Denise) and David (Jean, deceased); and dearly loved their 13 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

After WWII, Hal first worked for Ed Reidhead at Reidhead Lumber Company and he was half owner of the Show Low Lumber Company.  Hal was affiliated with the White Mountain Apache Tribe and its lumber enterprises from 1954 until his retirement in 1990.  Hal loved and cherished the Apache people.

In 1967, Hal and Peggy bought the large Timberline Ranch in Vernon, Arizona where his family and brother, Wade, all worked.  Because of his love of Show Low, Navajo County, and its people, Hal gave a generous amount of his time and resources to improve his community.  He served for five years on the very first Show Low City Council and also served as its Mayor.  He continued in his community service by serving ten years on the Navajo County Board of Supervisors, six years on the State Oil and Gas Commission and six years on the Arizona Department of Transportation Board of Directors.

Hal and Peggy worked, tirelessly, to bring a Community Hospital, High School and City Park to Show Low.  He was a co-founder in creating Frontier State Bank, with branches in Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, Taylor, Heber and Greer.  The Bank is now owned by Zion National Bank.

Hal was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  As a founding member of the Show Low Masonic Lodge, Hal was a 32nd Mason and Shriner.  He was a licensed private pilot.  Hal enjoyed all sports, especially NASCAR and he loved to hunt and fish in the beautiful White Mountains.

The public visitation, viewing and friends calling will be from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Friday, March 16, 2018, at Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel, 320 N. 9th Street in Show Low, Arizona.  The funeral service will begin 10:00 A.M., Saturday, March 17, 2018, at the Show Low Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1401 W. Deuce of Clubs in Show Low, Arizona where additional visitation will begin one hour prior.  The concluding graveside service with Military Honors immediately follow at the Show Low Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest alongside his forever sweetheart, Peggy.

Memorial contributions to the Show Low Historical Society:  P.O. Box 3468, Show Low, Arizona 85902 or to the White Mountain Hospice Foundation:  P.O. Box 1975, Lakeside, Arizona 85929 have been suggested by his family.

The Butler family is thankful for all of the expressions of sympathy they have received during this difficult season and are especially grateful for all the prayers offered up on their behalf.