Lawrence Gerard Butler, longtime Agra resident, passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 in Stillwater at the age of 93 years.

The son of the late H. Franklin Butler and Edna Kitching Butler, Lawrence was born on November 10, 1920 in Ninnekah, Oklahoma. He was raised in Agra, graduating from Agra High School.

Lawrence was drafted into the United States Army Air Force in World War II, where he served as a radio operator/mechanic aboard C-47's. His time spent in the military was the most memorable time of his life; as he loved flying and seeing foreign countries all around the world. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant on August 25, 1945.

He was united in marriage to Vela Ruth Chesmore on March 8, 1942 in Agra and to this union five children, Ruthann, Larry, Linda, Kenneth and Gary were born. Ruth preceded him in death on January 3, 2002.

After World War II, his primary occupation was that of an auto mechanic, and then as an oilfield mechanic with Sinclair Oil and Gas, then Atlantic Richfield and Company. During this time, he and his family spent most of their years living and working in Texas, where his children still reside.

In 1977, Lawrence and Ruth moved to Anchorage, Alaska, where Lawrence worked at Prudhoe Bay until his retirement from ARCO in May, 1981. Their five years in Alaska were undoubtedly the happiest time of their life together; it was a great adventure for them. Following his retirement, Lawrence and Ruth returned to Agra, Oklahoma, where he pursued being a gentleman rancher until Ruth's death. After Ruth's death, he married Sylvia Moser in August, 2002, the couple resided in Stillwater, Oklahoma at the time of his death.

Survivors include his wife, Sylvia Moser-Butler; three children, Larry Butler, Linda Foxworth and Gary Butler; five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; siblings, Faye Brewer, Angus Butler, Nova Herman, Marquetta Chastain and other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents and first wife, Lawrence was preceded in death by one daughter, Ruthann Campbell; infant son, Kenneth Butler; brother, J.R. Butler; sister, Rosie Taylor and his decade-old friend, Leonard Nicholson who mentored Lawrence like a brother and had more influence on the direction of his career than any other person.

Services will be Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. in the Davis Memorial Chapel with Ralph Hickman officiating.

Burial will follow in the Osage Cemetery, Agra, Oklahoma.

You may share your condolences with the Butler family at www.davisfh.net.

Services are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home.