THOMASTON — Walter K. Butler Jr., 78, died unexpectedly Jan. 2, 2016, at his home.

Born in Thomaston on Jan. 2, 1938, he was the son of Walter K. Sr. and Leone S. Courier Butler. Educated in Thomaston schools, he was a 1956 graduate of Thomaston High School.

On Aug. 26, 1960, Walter married Martha M. Miller. They made their home in Thomaston, where they raised their three children. Martha died Oct. 10, 1994.

Walter enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on Sept. 20, 1960, completing his tour of duty on Sept. 20, 1965.

For more than 31 years, he worked at Sylvania GTE in Waldoboro, retiring as machine shop supervisor in 1996.

Walter married Linda Jo Hunt on Sept. 19, 1998.

Always active in his community, Walter was a Past Master (1970) of Orient Lodge of Masons, No. 15, in Thomaston. He was a member of the Kora Shrine Temple, all Masonic Bodies including the York Rite and Scottish Rite, as well as the Mid Coast Shrine Club. He was a member of the Rockland Lodge of Elks No. 1008 and Winslow-Holbrook Merritt American Legion Post No. 1 in Rockland.

Walter is survived by his wife, Linda of Thomaston; his children and their spouses, Walter K. III and Debra Butler of Standish, Joseph N. and Bobbi Butler of Cushing, and Carol M. and Joel Verdini of Windham; a stepson, Howard Hunt and his wife, Mary, of Windsor; one brother, Howard Stetson of Warren; five sisters, including his twin, Waneta Asta-Ferrero and her husband, Peter, of West Springfield, Mass., Audrey Downs of Portsmouth, N.H., Margaret Damewood, Kay Leary and her husband. Frank. all of Warren, and Pauline Wright of Haverhill, Mass.; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews. Walter was looking forward to the birth of his fifth great-grandchild this year.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit Wednesday, Jan. 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. Officers of the Rockland Lodge of Elks will conduct a memorial service at 6 p.m. A funeral service will be held Thursday, Jan. 7 at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Spring interment will be in St. James Cemetery in Thomaston.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Winslow-Holbrook- Merritt American Legion Post No. 1 Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 582, Rockland, ME 04841.