Life Tributes for the week of 9/18/19
Doyle “Gene” Butler
Long time Quincy resident Gene Butler passed away suddenly in his home August 29, 2019, at the age of 90. He was born Sept. 10, 1928.
Gene came to Plumas County in 1945 from his childhood home in Blue Eye, Missouri. Gene, like so many young men in his time, went to work for the Meadow Valley Lumber Company. He spent his entire adult life working in the Plumas County timber industry, retiring in 1993 as the sawyer for Sierra Pacific’s Quincy saw mill.
Gene was a proud veteran, having served in the Korean War as a combat construction specialist from 1950 to 1952, followed by two years in the U.S. Army reserves.
He had a lifelong passion for sports and athletics. As a young man, Gene enjoyed success on the baseball diamond. His playing days ended at the young age of 19 when he lost a finger in a sawmill accident in August of 1948.
Gene’s passion for sports never wavered and he went on to dedicate many summers as a Quincy Little League and Babe Ruth coach. After his youth baseball coaching days, he went on to volunteer more than 40 years at Quincy High School and Feather River College athletic events.
This passion and dedication was shared by his wife Linda. If there was a game in town, Gene and Linda Butler could be found cheering for the home team.
Gene spent more than 20 years as a volunteer fireman for the Quincy Fire Department.
Gene lost his wife Linda of 47 years in 2015. He is survived by his three sons: Tony Butler of Folsom, Steve Green of Chico and Dave Green of Sacramento. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Brent, Kriste, Phill, and Ben; and three great-grandchildren: Alycia, Luke and Gabriella.
A celebration of Gene Butler’s life has been scheduled at the Feather River College gymnasium Saturday, Sept. 28, at 11:30 a.m. with a military veteran funeral honors ceremony following thereafter.
Helen Katherine Hathaway
Helen Katherine Hathaway, beloved wife, mother, grandmother passed peacefully on Sept. 12, 2019, in her home in Rancho Murieta, with family by her side.
Helen was born in Glendive, Montana, in 1927 to Anton and Margaret Folz. The youngest of 10 children, she was the last surviving. She attended Glendive schools, graduating in 1945.
Helen worked for the Glendive Ranger-Review newspaper as a secretary and sold advertising to community businesses. While discussing ads with the owner of the Red Trail Meat Market, she met her future husband, Jerry Hathaway, a young sailor who had returned home to work in his family’s business. They married in 1951 and relocated to Denver while Jerry finished college and eventually settled in South San Francisco, Sunnyvale and finally Santa Clara.
Helen worked as an elementary school clerk once the children were all in school. They retired and moved to Lake Almanor Country Club in 1978 and then to Rancho Murieta in 1990.
Helen was devoted to her family, home and faith and she lived a beautiful life. She enjoyed playing golf, was an avid bridge player, and stayed active with daily exercises and ‘fast’ walks. She will be greatly missed.
She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Jerry Hathaway; two children, Chris Hathaway of Rancho Murieta and Katherine Anderson (Bruce) of Livermore; grandchildren Katrina and Gregory; and many nieces and nephews. Helen was preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Kay.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, Sept. 20, at 11 a.m. at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 14673 Cantova Way, Rancho Murieta. A reception will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, if you are so inclined, a donation in Helen’s memory can be made to the American Red Cross, Loaves & Fishes of Sacramento, or your favorite charity.