Billie Kathryn Butler

Billie Kathryn Butler passed away at Rollins-Brook Hospital in Lampasas on January1, 2017. Kathryn was born February 11, 1928 in Sugarland, Texas to Claude and Bertha (Halamicek) Lancaster. She was an excellent student and graduated high school at age 16. She began attending Texas Tech at that young age. Kathryn was a speech major and developed a love of Shakespeare early on. She enjoyed attending the Winedale Shakespeare Festival and when she visited England, made sure to visit Stratford-on-Avon. She was an avid reader and loved plays, poetry and literature. She was proud of the fact that she completed the list of the 100 Greatest Books Ever Written. She met her future husband, Robert Butler on a blind date while both were attending Texas Tech University. After receiving her BA from Tech, Kathryn taught High School in Hamlin, Texas for 2 years. She and Robert were married August 19, 1950. After their marriage they moved to a ranch near Lometa where they have lived for the past 66 years. Kathryn spent 19 years teaching second grade in the Lometa ISD and loved to tell about her experiences with her students. She loved to plant trees on Arbor Day with her students. Kathryn was a member and officer of the Goldthwaite Garden Club for 60 years. She was the first President and lifelong member of the L-M (Lometa) Garden and Civic Club since its founding in 1959. She was a nationally accredited flower show judge and served as a judge at many area shows. She provided many beautiful flower arrangements for the Lometa School and Lometa United Methodist Church over the years. Kathryn was a wildflower expert and she and her husband Robert gave many wildflower preservation programs to groups in the area. They also planted wildflower seeds every year at the Lometa Regional Park. She made her family feel loved by cooking them three wonderful meals a day and cooking their favorite foods when they visited. Her son got chicken fried steak or fried chicken every time he visited but she always ate the back and neck and gave the best parts to her family. She and Robert loved to host the extended family and their guests for big July 4th and Thanksgiving celebrations. She always took special treats to friends who were sick or unable to do for themselves. Kathryn was a wonderful friend and missed many friends who she lost in recent years. She was generous and giving to her family and to all in need. Kathryn also entered the Chili Cookoff at the Lometa Diamondback Jubilee regularly and received many awards for the women’s chili and showmanship. She also decorated the stage for the Jubilee every year. She was proud of her Czech heritage and made a visit to her ancestors’ hometown when she visited Czechoslavkia. She cooked thousands of poppy-seed kolaches for her kids. Kathryn was a die-hard Democrat who helped hold the elections at the community of Scallorn in Mills County for many years. She strongly believed in women’s rights and equal rights for all. She was proud of being a Girl Scout Leader for 15 years and led 2 troops from Brownies through First Class Scouts. She was also a Cub Scout Den Mother. Kathryn is survived by her husband Robert of 66 years. Three children; Debora Terry and husband Tom of Lampasas, Robert Butler and wife Pam of Houston, and Belinda Gillum and husband Stanley of LaGrange. Grandchildren; Jason Terry, Alison Weir, Chris Gillum, Amanda Talent, Samantha Butler and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Lana Sullenger and niece, Laura Lancaster. Service will be a private family memorial. Memorials may be made to Lometa United Methodist Church or Lometa Garden Club. Her children asked her recently, “You’re 88 years old, Why are you still cooking food for senior citizens, you need to slow down. Her response was a quote from the poet Dylan Thomas. “Do not go gentle into that good night. Old age should burn and rave at close of day. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” Sneed Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements