R.E. "Royce" Butler

R.E. “Royce” Butler passed from this earth on February 16, 2025. Services will be held on February 21, 2025, at Hillside Christian Church with Pastor Greg Corona officiating. Born on February 8, 1943, in Hedly, TX, R.E. Butler immediately made an impression on his family, probably because he was chasing after his twin sister, who was born a whole thirty minutes earlier. He grew up attending First Baptist Church of Hedley as well as R.A.'s, where he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. When he was not working on the farm or competing with his many siblings over spots at the dinner table, R.E. was shooting hoops. He was quite the basketball player for his high school team, which was coached by Bear Haskins. R.E. randomly decided to get a mohawk one season, landing him into some significant trouble with Coach Haskins. R.E. dreamed of playing at West Texas at El Paso (presently known as UTEP), especially since Coach Haskins went there to coach. The details are murky, but R.E. either did or did not play for Coach Haskins at West Texas at El Paso. As far as his family is concerned, R.E. achieved his dream. We do know that R.E. earned a basketball scholarship to Clarendon Junior College as a guard after high school graduation in 1961. Family situations brought him back home to Hedly, where he took care of his siblings. In 1965, R.E. met the love of his life, Pam. Well, actually, R.E. was going to meet another person for a date and a soda at the drive-in, but R.E. saw her cousin, Pam, and they fell in love. That must have been a really good coke because four days later, R.E. and Pam were engaged. While they were sitting in his car, R.E. asked Pam to open the glove box, and she proceeded to pull out a box with an engagement ring inside. This upcoming June, they would have celebrated 60 years together. In 1966, R.E. followed in his father-in-law’s footsteps and joined the Texas ELKS Organization. R.E. was appointed the Texas ELKS Hoop Shoot Chairman in 1967, and by 1970, the ELKS Hoop Shoot event impacted over 100,000 kids in Texas. The number kept growing over the next fifteen years. By 1986, with R.E.’s support and advocacy, the UIL governing board added Hoop Shoot to the approved list of athletic contests. Due to the success of Hoop Shoot, and the participation of millions of kids over the years, R.E. decided to approach Gov. Ann Richard’s office to propose an official state recognition of Hoop Shoot. R.E. knew his timing, and the state Hoop Shoot was being held in Austin that year. So, in 1992, with some of R.E.’s persuasion, Gov. Richards officially proclaimed a Texas Hoop Shoot Day. R.E. worked for Southwestern Public Service Company for 43 years. In another case of R.E. legend, when he started working for the company, he was told he could not use his initials for his official paperwork. He argued that R.E. was his real name, and the initials did not stand for anything. SPS insisted, so R.E. called himself “Royce.” Royce worked as a lineman, a journey man, a line supervisor, and an engineering assistant. When Royce officially retired in 2006, he did not really retire. He signed a contract with Florida Power and Light to work on various wind farms and inspect various crews’ work. Royce purchased a travel trailer and found any excuse for he and Pam to travel the country. Once Royce retired from that work, he decided to try new adventures, like raising cows. Much of Royce’s legacy can be found in his philanthropy. It is hard to think of the Texas ELKS Organization without thinking of Royce Butler, PSP. Just a quick glance at his titles and accolades should give some insight into his service: State Hoop Shoot Chairman, Texas Trustee, Texas President-Elect, Interim Texas President, Texas President, Texas ELKS State Association Hall of Fame, Chairman of the Board for Texas ELKS Major Project, President’s Volunteer Service Award, 50-year service award pin recipient for service to the ELKS Organization, Veteran’s Homelessness Literacy Award, and, in 2016, received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for National and Community Service by President Obama. Royce made it his mission to improve the Texas ELKS Children’s Services located in Gonzales, TX. One of his last official trips was to that camp to visit one granddaughter who was working as a camp counselor and to watch another granddaughter graduate from her weeklong camp. An avid football fan, Royce loved his Texas Longhorns and Dallas Cowboys. Let it not be lost on any of us that Royce passed the first weekend after the Super Bowl. When first meeting Royce, you probably noticed his smile first, then either his burnt orange or Dallas Cowboys-blue shirt. Royce collected so many things, but the bulk of his collection included football memorabilia. Royce loved to entertain guests, and he did so with his amazing meals. Royce could cook. Stopping by for a visit, if it is close to mealtime, you better come hungry because he will insist you stay for a bite. Some of the best memories with Royce were those where family and friends gathered to celebrate something, eat some prime rib or steak, and just laugh. At this time, the family wishes to thank everyone who was special to Royce, who invested in Royce, and who were blessed by Royce. Dinners will not be the same, the gatherings will not be the same, and Royce’s absence will be felt for a long time to come. We truly miss him. Royce is survived by his bride Pamela Butler; his three children: Royce Butler and wife Tracy; Vince Butler and wife Amy; Katrina Klaehn and husband Daniel; three grandsons, four granddaughters, and one great grandson arriving in May; three sisters, Marie Corona, Elnora Corona, and Altia May Condran; and many nephews and nieces. Royce is preceded in death by his parents; his sisters Bessie McCracken and Oneda McCracken; his brothers Perlie Butler and Alvie Ray Butler. The family would like to thank the staff of The Gardens of Amarillo for their love and dedication to taking care of Royce. You will forever have our gratitude and appreciation. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that all donations go to the Texas ELKS Children’s Services Inc. 1963 FM 1586 Gonzales, TX 78629 To our absent brother, husband, father, grandfather, friend . . . . .

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R.E. "Royce" Butler

February 8, 1943 - February 16, 2025