Heber Butler

Heber Marsh Butler GARLAND –Heber Marsh Butler, 90, passed away on Friday, March 30, 2012, in the home of his son, Mark H. Butler, of Orem Utah. Heber was born in Garland, Utah, on November 22, 1921, the seventh son of Heber Close Butler and Rose Zipporah Marsh Butler. He married Martena Terry on Friday, November 13, 1942 in Tallahassee, Florida, which he always said was the luckiest day of his life. Five days later he departed for combat duty in North Africa. On October 14, 1943, they were sealed in the Logan LDS Temple. Heber was born and raised in Garland. He attended local schools, graduating from Bear River High School where he ran track, swam, and played the snare drum. He was proud to be a four year graduate of LDS Seminary. Upon graduating from high school, he and his brother, Richard, volunteered for the Army Air Corps. His first duty assignment was at Mather Field near Sacramento, California, during which he met Martena. Heber attended various military training schools which prepared him to be a pilot, his youthful dream. He loved flying and rapidly attained Command Pilot rating. His military service took him and his family to many duty assignments within the United States, and a three year tour of duty at Itazuki AFB, on the island of Kyushu, Japan. During WW II he served in North Africa, flying 50 missions in the P-38 over North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. During the Korean War, he flew the F-86 on 50 fighter missions and as a test pilot. He also served a combat tour during the Vietnam War. Heber flew many hazardous missions “ferrying” F-86 and F-100 fighter planes from the US to bases in Germany during the mid 1950’s. It was always an exciting time when he returned with pictures of his travels and gifts from Europe. His military assignments provided him with opportunities to serve in many different positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of which he was an active member and to share his firm testimony of the gospel. He served as a Group Leader, Elders Quorum President, Sunday School teacher, Stake Mission President, counselor in a Stake Presidency, Stake Sunday School President, Stake High Council, High Priest Group Leader and fifteen years as Family Records Extraction Director. He and Martena served a two year mission in Guam where he was counselor to the mission president based in Hawaii. That calling involved exciting air and boat travel to many of the Micronesian Islands. He loved his Father in Heaven and his country. Heber retired from the Air Force after 33 years of service returning to his “roots” in Garland. Retiring from the military, but not from life, he continued activity in his community, particularly in Church, and also as patriarch of a growing posterity. He enjoyed gardening and sharing the fruits of his labor, the big blue bus and various family activities in that bus. Several years ago as a Utah veteran, he participated with KUED in recording his military experiences of WW II. He also delivered several presentations at the Hill AFB Museum, where an F-100 bears his name. Surviving are his wife, Martena, Garland/Brigham City; children: Rose Hensley, Brigham City; Michael Butler, Garland; Joyce (Gary) Payne, San Antonio, TX; Mary Louise (Craig) Anderson, Elwood; Joanna Butler, Perry; Mark (Shelly) Butler, Orem; Paul (Trisha) Butler, Collinston; 34 wonderful grandchildren and 53 really great grandchildren; sister: Vida Jensen, Bear River City/Brigham City. He was preceded in death by his son, David, his parents, and eight of ten siblings. Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 6, at the Garland Stake Center, 140 W Factory, at 11:00 a.m. A public viewing will be held on Thursday, April 5, from 6-8 p.m. at Rudd Funeral Home, at 1234 South Main, Garland. Another viewing will be held prior to the funeral from 10:00-10:45 am at the Garland Stake Center. Interment will be in the Garland Cemetery. Full Military Honors Accorded by the Combined Veterans of Box Elder County.