Archie Ray Buttram

Archie Ray Buttram was born on Nov. 15, 1934, to Everett Buttram and Verna (Wetmore) Buttram. He was born in Springfield, Mo., and grew up in the Pondfork area of Ozark County.

Archie graduated from high school in Gainesville, Mo., and was a Korean War veteran. He served with the 2nd  Infantry Division in Korea and with the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barrack in Hawaii. While in the military, Archie graduated from the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy in both Infantry Divisions and was a sergeant in a rifle company.

Archie was a member of the Church of Christ, the Masonic Lodge #31 in Liberty, Mo., and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #5606 in Claycomo, Mo.

Archie retired from Ford Motor Company after nearly 43 years. He was appointed to the International Staff of the United Auto Workers by the late President Leonard Woodcock. He served 19 of his 43 years of service as an International Representative for the UAW. Archie was a member of UAW Local 249 in Pleasant Valley, Mo.

Archie’s favorite pastimes were hunting, fishing, and collecting Indian artifacts.

Archie was preceded in death by two sons, Archie Ray, Jr. and Everett Lewis Buttram; and brother, Bill Buttram.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Barbara; four children, Randall Gene Buttram, Rebecca Smith, Ronnie, and Donnie Heiman; four siblings, Junior, Wanda, Paul, and Katherine; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday May 7, at White Chapel Funeral Home with burial to follow in White Chapel Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday May 6, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Hospitals or Mahan Cemetery.