Arlene Ward Butler Vincent

Arlene Ward Butler Vincent, age 73, died Wednesday, October 5 of causes incident to age. She was born in Willard, Utah on June 6th, 1943 to Orvis Alfred Ward and Evelyn Ann Cole. She is the fourth of nine children. She married Albert Bay Butler on January 19th, 1962. They had four children together. Bay died in 1982 and Arlene married Leland L Vincent on December 31, 1985.

Arlene spent her early years working on the family farm in South Willard, Utah. It was 100 acres and she and her sisters worked just as hard as her brothers. They would do farm chores before and after school. She enjoyed going to school and attended Box Elder High School, Weber State College, Maui Community College, Lexington Community College as well as numerous training courses as needed for various work positions. She met A. Bay Butler while attending Weber State University. They took advantage of many work and school opportunities which led them to live in Utah, California, Hawaii, and Kentucky. Arlene has always been a hard worker. When the children were young she worked as a substitute teacher at the elementary school as well as a nurse’s aide at the hospital. When the family moved to Kentucky she first worked at an elite clothing store doing alterations. She was an excellent seamstress and sewed many articles of clothing for her daughters. One of the most adventurous undertakings was sewing new car seat covers for her son’s car. Arlene later worked at a department store in sales and then became a system administrator at the University of Kentucky. After the death of her husband, she had the desire to move back to Utah. She found employment with Hercules Aerospace Incorporated as a clerk and later a configuration controller. She moved around the company and survived its many changes including a transfer to Mississippi for several years. Unfortunately she was forced to go on permanent disability due to health problems.

Arlene married Leland L Vincent in December 1985. They enjoyed many activities together including square dancing, bowling, and traveling. They visited many places. A recent trip to Hawaii was especially rewarding because she was able to revisit places she’d visited over 30 years ago.

Arlene’s health struggles were particularly frustrating for her. She suffered from dementia at an early age along with polymyositis and pulmonary hypertension. The dementia was the most frustrating to her because she was aware of her own inabilities. She still managed to find joy in life and was most happy when family was around.

If asked what she was most proud of I think she would have said what good parents her children became. She loved them dearly.

Arlene is survived by husband Leland L Vincent of South Jordan, UT; son Burton Jay (Jodi) Butler of Nicholasville, KY; daughter Becky (Roberto) Bravo of Warner Robins, GA; daughter Bonnie (Dave) Gwilliam of Centerville, UT; step-son Jeffrey (Natalie) Vincent of Vernal, UT; step-son Wade (Lori) Vincent of Yokosuka Japan; step-daughter Carolee Vincent of Pleasant Grove, UT;  step-daughter Cathy (Troy) Kendall of Taylorsville, UT; step-son James (Cherise) Vincent of Riverton, UT; sister Loretta (Richard) Hadfield of Brigham City, UT; brother Dean Ward of Willard, UT; brother Glenn (Chris) Ward of Burley, ID; brother Orville (Lore) Ward of Cedar City, UT; brother Thomas Ward of Provo, UT; brother Fred (Linda) Ward of Willard, UT; sister Evelyn (John) Jung of Phoenix, AZ; and brother Parker (Hong) Ward of San Mateo, CA. She has 33 grand-children and 17 great-grandchildren.

Arlene is preceded in death by her parents Orvis Alfred Ward and Evelyn Ann Cole, her husband Albert Bay Butler, her son Branford W. Butler, her infant grand-son Alex Vincent and her infant great-grand-son Michael Miles.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 8th at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 1941 North Main St., Farmington UT 84025. Viewings will take place Friday, October 7th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 8th from 9:45-10:45 a.m. There will be no graveside service as burial will take place at a later date at the Lexington Cemetery in Lexington, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Dementia Society of America (dementiasociety.org).