Leland R. 'Butch' Downer

Leland R. "Butch" Downer, 67, formerly of Harrisburg, passed away Dec 6, 2014 at his home in Wauconda, Wash..

Memorial services and inurnment were held Dec. 22, 2014, at 1 p.m. at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Wash.

He was born Nov. 11, 1947, in Scottsbluff, Neb., to Robert W. and Ila (Barrett) Downer. He attended Kindergarten through the 12th grade at Banner County School, graduating in 1966. He then went on to attend Hastings College graduating in May of 1970. While in college he completed the requirements for officer's training and entered the United States Air Force immediately following his graduation.

Butch married Janis Kerr in Hastings, Neb., on Feb. 5, 1970, and to this union two sons were born, Jeffrey Michael and Brian James.

His military career took him to many locations in the United States such as California, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Washington and Virginia., and also some foreign countries, which included Turkey, United Kingdom, and many stops in Germany.

After retiring from the United States Air Force, he continued similar work as a civilian for several years. He then retired and spent some time in Colorado and Nebraska with family and friends before settling in Wauconda, Wash.

In his time in Washington he was able to see both sons get married and was blessed with three grandchildren and heard the news of another grandson to arrive in June.

He is survived by sons Jeffrey (Sarah) of Seattle, Wash., and Brian (Maggie) of Jeddah, Saudia Arabia; grandchildren, Juliet and James of Jeddah, Saudia Arabia, and Edison of Seattle; sisters Winnie Smith of Harrisburg, and Barbara (Larry) Stoddard of St Paul, Neb.; brother, Curt (Anna) Downer of Gilmer, Texas; sister, Wilma (Bob) Post of Gering, Neb.; sister-in-law Marlene Downer of Harrisburg; one aunt, Bertha Sandberg; one uncle, Don Modica; eight nieces, three nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents, Robert W. and Ila (Barrett) Downer; brother Wayne; brother-in-law, Bob Smith; and nephew Bernie Smith.