Walter Leon Butler

A visitation for Walter Leon Butler, 92, Ottawa, will be from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at the home of Keith and Retta Pence, 104 Elm, Ottawa. A memorial concert in the spring will be announced by the family at a later date.Mr. Butler died Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008, at his home.He was born March 9, 1916, in Chanute, the son of John and Elizabeth Sekman Butler. He attended school in Chanute and graduated from Ottawa High School.Mr. Butler worked for W.G. Saunders at his music store. He managed the store from 1951 to 1956. He purchased the store and operated it for 40 years until he retired on June 10, 1996.He played the trombone and was a member of the Ottawa Summer Band for many years. He was band director in Richmond and Michigan Valley in the late 1930s and early 1940s. He was a past exalted ruler of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Ottawa Lodge 803.Mr. Butler married Jessie Tucker on June 26, 1938, in Ottawa. She preceded him in death. He also was preceded in death by a son, Rex.Survivors include a daughter, Beth Scalet, Kansas City, Mo.; two sons, Bill, Ottawa, and Bob, Austin, Texas; two brothers, Oscar, Las Cruces, N.M., and Robert “Bob,” St. Petersburg, Pa.; a sister, Joanne Butler Imming, Coronado, Calif.; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.The family suggests memorials to the Americana Academy of Music in Lawrence, sent in care of Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory St., Ottawa, KS 66067.E-mail condolences may be sent to dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net.