Doyle Duane Butler was born on November 16, 1937 to Ralph Alonzo and Katherine Luella (Lemmel) Butler in Yelm, Washington. He spent his childhood in many Oregon cities including Lakeview, Tillamook, Ashland, and Portland before finally settling in Amity, Oregon where he met the love of his life in high school. He married LaVerda Yvonne Irwin on October 5, 1957. Their early years were spent between Willamina, Oregon and Burnt Ranch, California before moving back to Willamina where they have lived for the past 47 years.
Doyle worked at Willamina Clay Products for 9 years and Willamina Lumber for 31 years before retiring in 2006. He enjoyed fishing on the Nestucca River and 101 Bridge, taking Sunday drives and playing slots at Spirit Mountain Casino. He would go to the casino four times a week and had a ritual of putting on his lucky ring, gold chain and stuffing his pockets full of his good luck charms and candy. Doyle was known as “Candy Man” and enjoyed greeting everyone with an offering of candy from his pocket - sometimes lint covered.
Doyle had a large family and relished being surrounded by all his girls.
He is survived by wife of sixty-four years, LaVerda Butler, six daughters, Cindy (Jim) Houk, Tina Meyerhoffer, Sandy Pond, Tammy (John) Gould-Helms, LeAnn (David) Keyser and Candy Scranton, 16 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. His infectious laughter filled a room and he left a vacancy in our hearts. He passed away December 13, 2021, surrounded by family.
He was preceded in death by his parents Ralph Butler and Katherine Hagood, and his sisters, Luella Urquiaga and Ramona Butler.
A graveside service will be held on Monday, December 20, 2021 at 11:00am at the Hopewell Cemetery located at 21600 Church Rd. Dayton, Oregon 97114.
