Russell "Butch" William Anderson passed away Friday, January 12, 2018 at his home in Colfax. He was 79. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 20th at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Bruning Funeral Home with Rev. Lynn Nelson officiating. Butch will be laid to rest in the Colfax Cemetery. He was born in Garfield, Washington October 12, 1938 to George W. and Evelyn Syron Anderson. He lived in Potlatch, Idaho until the third grade and then the family moved to Colfax, Washington. He attended Hamilton Grade School and was a member of the Class of 1957 in Colfax. Butch served his country in the US Navy from 1957-1961. He was a SeaBee in MCB#9 (Mobile Construction Battalion) He served one tour of duty in Okinawa and two tours in Kodiak, Alaska. Butch married Polly Parnell in Colfax on January 2, 1960. They just recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary together. They lived in Rosalia, Washington for 10 years where Butch worked for the Washington State Transportation Department and later worked for the Feldman Bros. Tire Shop. He was also a member of the Rosalia Volunteer Fire Department. They moved to Colfax in 1972 and farmed in the Onecho area for 10 years before Butch went back to work for the transportation department retiring from there several years later. He did custom bulldozer work and road grader work for many years. He also worked during harvest driving truck for Mike Nelson. Butch worked countless hours during the construction of McDonald Park in Colfax. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed fishing in the Snake River and at Dworshak Reservoir. For many years he and his family camped and fished in Idaho along Charley Creek. Snowmobiling in the Blue Mountains and Laird Park were enjoyed by the family also. One of his favorite parts about this was helping with the trail grooming. Another favorite pastime was having coffee with the "coffee crew" at Rosauer's every morning. Butch is survived by his wife Polly at home in Colfax; sons Ben (Charlotte) Anderson of West Richland, WA; Bill Anderson, Colfax, 2 granddaughters, Paige and Payton Anderson of West Richland; his sister, Sharon Morton of Star, Idaho and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parent, George and Ev. The family suggests memorial gifts in his memory go to McDonald Park, c/o Bruning's, P.O. Box 739, Colfax, WA. 99111. On-line guest book is at www.bruningfuneralhome.com
Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax is caring for the family.