George C. Butler

FRENCHVILLE and CARIBOU – George Clayton Butler, 91, devoted father, died on May 16, 2022, at the Maine Veterans Home in Bangor, Maine, following a courageous battle with bladder cancer.

He was born in Limestone, Maine, on February 1, 1931, to Kenneth and Iva (Levesque) Butler. He worked in the woods with his father and brothers and helped build Loring Air Force Base before enlisting in the Army and serving his country during the Korean War.

While in the Army, he married the love of his life, Dolly Whitmore Butler, from Green Ridge, on December 10, 1952. The couple moved to Connecticut, where George worked as a heavy equipment operator during the 1950s through the 1970s. In 1972, he moved back home to Caribou and started Butler Campers, building truck campers, trailers, van conversions, and anything else that customers needed modified.

After his retirement from the camper business and the passing of Dolly in 2002, George moved to Frenchville at the age of 72 to write yet another chapter in his life. He enjoyed buying trailers and campers and fixing them up, selling them and then doing it again. He was in the process of building a camper trailer and fixing up a motor home at the time of his passing. He regarded it as a top priority to get out in the shop and work every day, as well as checking the latest specials at Marden’s.

George’s other passion was music. He would sing and play guitar and harmonica every chance he got. He would sing at funerals, kitchen parties, or dances. He even made a country album at the age of 85.

George was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Dolly Whitmore Butler, his parents, Kenneth and Iva Butler, his sisters Sarah, Helen, Barbara, and Edna, and his brothers Kenneth Jr., Otis (Buster), and Arthur.

He is survived by his sons, Clayton Randy Butler and his wife JoAnn of Hampden and Clinton Butler and his wife Kimberly of Brewer, his grandchildren Sara Bowden of Hampden and Jason Butler of Bangor, and one great-grandson, Cooper Bowden of Hampden. Also surviving is a sister in law, Gladys Whitmore Cyr, along with many nieces and nephews.

A graveside ceremony will be held at Green Ridge Cemetery at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Fellowship and refreshments will follow at the Par and Grill Restaurant.