Kenneth Alvin Butler

Kenneth Alvin Butler was born on September 6, 1923, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Alvin and Edna Butler. Kenneth died peacefully at home from cancer on October 31, 2010, surrounded by his loving family. As a young man, Kenneth served his country in WWII in the Army Air Corps as a radio operator. He served in China, where he fell in love with the Chinese people and culture; a love that continued throughout his life. After returning home, he enrolled at the University of Utah, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in education. Some years later, he earned a Master’s Degree in science. He was an elementary school teacher for 37 years, touching the lives of hundreds of young people. While attending the University, he worked at KDYL and KCPX television stations on Social Hall Avenue. On June 10, 1949, Kenneth and Mildred (Millie) Persson began their eternal love affair in the Salt Lake Temple. They built their own home in Murray where they raised their four children. Kenneth had many talents and interests. He could repair anything and was fascinated with electronics, woodworking, beautifying his yard, and cars. He restored a 1966 Ford Mustang when he was 80 years old and loved driving around in his “baby.� As a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in many church leadership positions including: Bishop, High Councilor, and Veil Worker in the Salt Lake Temple. Kenneth is survived by his loving wife; son Douglas (Susan); daughters Susan, Anne (Mel) Heath, and Karen (Paul) Bedont; 20 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sisters June VanCott and Shirley (Rex) Woodruff; sister-in-law Marilyn (Marvin) Edman. He is preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2010, at the Winder 12th Ward meetinghouse, 4350 South 1100 East, Salt Lake City, Utah, at 11:00 AM. A viewing will be held Friday evening, November 5, 2010, at the Murray Memorial Mortuary, 5850 South 900 East, Murray, Utah, from 6:30 until 8:00 PM and at the meetinghouse Saturday, one hour prior to the funeral. Interment at the Lake Hills Cemetery, 10055 South State Street, Sandy, Utah.