Lewis Leo Butler

Lewis L. Butler, 93, passed away in his sleep on October 9, 2016. He was born on September 9, 1923 to Mark and Clara Louise Olinger in Des Moines, Iowa. Lew's first year was spent in Oskaloosa, Iowa. After divorcing Mr. Olinger, Louise moved with Lew and his grandparents to Texas. He grew up in McAllen, Houston, Fort Worth and various small Texas towns. Lew's mother married Archie Lee Butler when Lew was quite young. Lee was the man whom Lew knew as his father. Lew changed his last name to Butler in 1940, the same year he entered the Marine Corps. During World War II, Lew was part of the 2nd Marine Division operating in the Pacific theater. He was among the first wave of Marines to hit the beach at Guadalcanal; they continued on to other battles on Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1960, and went to work for Shields Harper in Oakland, California where he worked until he retired. Lew was married for a few years to Gladys Lucille Butler (maiden name unknown); they divorced in 1956. They had no children. Lew met Iva Marie (Mendenhall) Lee in Vallejo, CA in 1960. They were married later that year and in 1963 Marie gave birth to their son Lewis Leo Butler II. Marie had two grown children from her previous marriage, Donald Gene Lee and Ronnie Dale Lee. Lew and Marie resided in Pinole, California until Marie's death in 2010. Lew continued to live there until mid-2012, at which time he moved to San Carlos, California, near his son Leo. Golf was Lew's favorite pastime. He played the game for over 50 years, from his time in the Marine Corps through his early 80's. He stopped playing when "3-putts became the norm rather than the exception." He enjoyed spending time with Marie at "The Property" near Cherokee, California, as well as working on his cars and doing chores around the house. Lew is survived by his son Leo, his stepson Ron, ten grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren. He will be interred in a private ceremony at Skyview Memorial Lawn in Vallejo, California, next to Marie. A remembrance will be held at 2pm on November 20th, 2016 at the Pinole Youth Center in the Arts & Crafts room, 635 Tennant Avenue, Pinole, California. All are welcome.