Obituary of Clarence Butler

Clarence Butler GONE FISHIN' Clarence " Bert " Butler, age 53, went to be with the Lord on Friday, September 12, 2008 in Tacoma, Washington, surrounded by his family and friends. Bert was born in Tacoma April 17, 1955, the son of Clarence " Grumpy " Butler, and the late Ruth (French) Butler of Fife, Washington. He is survived by his father, Clarence " Grumpy " Butler (Kay), of Tacoma, Washington; his son Lawrence Butler (and his pet Dog-Dog) of the Puyallup Indian Reservation in Tacoma; his brother Ed Butler of Fife, Washington; his sisters Patty and Lauren (Jeff) of Fife; his aunts Lydia Johnson of Wapato, Washington, and Rosemary Pimms of Seattle, Washington; his nieces Sara Butler, Lydia Butler-Smith (Pauly), Amenda Butler-Smith of Fife, and Romajean Thomas of Auburn, Washington; his nephews Joseph Thomas and Teeias Thomas of Fife; and his great nieces Justine Penn & Marlee Jo of the Puyallup Indian Reservation, Washington. A few loving cousins include Beatrice, Vicki, Byron, and Richard Pimms, and Sherry Watlamet Scott, Craig, Rick & Pat Watlamet, Buster Johnson, Donny Finley, Lizetta Kelly, April Beck, Darlene Finley, Nora Keating, Kenny Keating, Vicky Gord, Daniel and Jody Satiacum, and Bill, Mike, Jeanne & Maggie Sterud (and the family offers heartfelt thanks to them for their never-ending love and support). Bert was a graduate of Fife High School, class of 1973. He attended college, during which time he worked under Robert Satiacum in Satiacum Enterprises (where he contributed in various capacities). Bert completed a degree in business and afterwards opened his own business named "Butler's Trading Post". Bert employed numerous Puyallup tribal community members and family to help him run his Smoke Shop; he was a great and generous employer. Over the years, Bert worked mostly in carpentry, including both the tribal Bingo Hall, tribal Takopid health center; he also worked for the Puyallup tribal elders. Bert absolutely loved fishing for salmon, and every year he would fish upon the Puyallup River and in Commencement Bay with his son Lawrence (and also Dog-Dog). Bert played sports as a youngster, and greatly enjoyed being in the bleachers watching all types of sports, from Little League baseball/basketball games, to the Huskies, to professional sport teams, like the Seahawks, Mariners, and Sonics. Bert's final job was with the Emerald Queen Casino, where he had numerous friends among his co-workers and fully enjoyed working as a carpenter. Bert co-owned BERT & MOE'S Kick Butt Fireworks in Fife, Washington. Bert took pride in being from the Puyallup Tribal Youngsville community; he was an avid tribal fisherman, he loved clam-digging and hunting, and he especially loved to work with his hands (where he was well known within the tribal community for his talented carpentry skills), and always supported the Puyallup Tribal Pow-Wow. Bert loved being with his family where he relished in hosting the family for gatherings upon his property whenever possible. Bert's family and friends will always remember joyously celebrating the 4th of July EVERY YEAR upon his property, and he will forever be missed at this occasion. Bert just plain loved to enjoy people, friends, and family (of course including Dog-Dog!) - he always treasured spoiling his loved ones (including his parents, his aunties, Grandma Vi, his brother and sisters, his cousins, and his many nieces and nephews). Bert was a true family man, and was a loving uncle to his nieces and nephews, and a very loving son and brother. He will always be missed! "Let'er Buck"!