Roy O. Butler 1896-1918

BUTLER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 9/16/2010 at 20:42:24

Three Soldiers Pass Away
Stricken With Spanish Influenza While in the Various Camps in State
Remains Brought to County
Two of the Men Were Residents Near Wallingford and One From Ringsted

Three or four soldiers have given their lives for their country in the past week. Not in action in France but in the Cantonments in the States. Theirs is the same sacrifice and the sacrifice to the family is as great. They had indicated their willingness to serve their county, “to do their bit.” Their great desire was one to serve their country but they were boys who would have preferred to serve in action in France of they would not have been in the service.

Hardly had the community at Wallingford received this sad news [death of Norris Kasa, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. O. Kasa of Wallingford] and laid to rest one of their brave boys when the news came of the death of another one of their boys at Camp Dodge. Roy Butler, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. O. Butler was also stricken with Influenza and later with pneumonia from which he passed away. He was one of the boys who left us last, and went to Camp Dodge. The remains will probably reach here this evening or Thursday morning and the services will be arranged from the home. [Alex Justensen of Ringsted was the third soldier mentioned in this article.] (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, October 16, 1918)

Victims of Spanish Influenza
Wallingford, Iowa October 14th – Death has claimed another soldier lad who was in the service of his country from this neighborhood. Private Roy O. Butler who but a short time ago went to Camp Dodge passed away at that camp Sunday [October 13, 1918] morning at nine o’clock from pneumonia. His parents received a message from him Saturday night to come at once, which they did but arrived at his bedside shortly after he had passed away. Roy was twenty-two years of age. His parents returned from there Monday morning. Up to the present time the funeral arrangements are not complete as his body has not arrived. It certainly is a shock to the bereaved parents but he has done his part and done it well. He was willing to make the supreme sacrifice that freedom might prevail. He leaves to mourn his death his parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. O. Butler, a sister, Miss Mabel, and four brothers, Philip, Ralph, Wayne and Clarence. The community extends sympathy to the relatives in their hour of sorrow. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, October r16, 1918)

Roy O. Butler
Another Wallingford young man has given his life while serving his county. Roy Butler, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Butler, died last Saturday at Camp Dodge. The parents received a telegram Saturday that he was seriously ill, and left immediately for the camp but did not reach him before death took him. He was only a boy and was well known and liked by many in this city. We are unable to learn of the funeral arrangements on account of the indefiniteness of the time the body will reach Wallingford. Mr. and Mrs. Butler also have a daughter in the City hospital at this city at the present time in a serious condition. They have the sympathy of this community in their bereavement and affliction. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, October 16, 1918)

Private Glen Martin accompanied the body of Roy Butler home from Camp Dodge Thursday and returned to Camp Friday. He will be home on a furlough next month. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, October 23, 1918)