Clinton Samuel (Butch) Armstrong, age 92, passed away on October 20, 2017, a day after his 92 nd birthday. Butch was born to Clinton and Ivah Armstrong on October 19, 1925 in Denver, Colorado. Shortly thereafter the family relocated to Orange County, California near the Eddy Martin Airport (now known as John Wayne Airport). This is where Butch developed his passion for aviation. At a very young age he would sneak away to the airport and do odd jobs in exchange for flying lessons, piloting his first solo flight at age 16.
In 1943, during World War II, he joined the Navy as a parachute rigger and served on the USS San Francisco.
After his discharge, Butch jumped at any opportunity to fly; finding work as a Crop Duster and flying turkeys into Mexico. In 1952, he started flying commercially for Western Airlines (Delta Airlines), a career that spanned thirty-two and a half years.
It was shortly after his retirement that Butch met and married the love of his life, Barbara Clark. The two enjoyed 29 years together. Between Butch’s four sons and Barbara’s four daughters, they had twenty-four grandchildren, forty-one great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
He is preceded in death by both of his parents, two sisters and his son, Daniel.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara, sons Sam (Judith) of San Juan Capistrano, CA Steve of Kalispell, MT and Gary Armstrong of Salt Lake City, UT. He is also survived by his step-daughters Jami Clark of Billings, MT., Janna Weldele (Mitch) of Whitefish, MT., Marri Lingle (Kent) of Kalispell, MT., and Julie Webster (Loren) of Mesa, AZ.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Friends are encouraged to visit our website at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory caring for the family.