Clayton LaRon “Butch” Buettner, 83, of Shawano, passed away peacefully on Dec. 1, 2020, with his wife and children by his side. He was born Aug. 5, 1937, in Red River to the late Wallace and Hazel (Bopp) Buettner.
Clayton joined the Navy at the age of 17 during the drawdown of the Korean War. He was a gunner’s mate. He was a proud sailor, serving mostly on destroyer type ships to include the USS Helena (CA-75), the USS Turner Joy (DD-951), the USS Hull (DD-945), the USS Harry E. Yarnell (DLG-17), the USS Sampson (DDG-10), and the USS Manley (DD-940). Notably, he was a plankowner of the USS Turner Joy, being a member of the first crew to serve on the ship upon its commissioning.
He completed several tours in Vietnam, including a plankowner tour as a gunner with Riverine Squadron 15, a “brown water” patrol squadron. Shore tours included duty at Treasure Island, California, armed security enforcement at El Centro, California, and instructor duty at Great Lakes, Illinois. He retired as a chief petty officer after over 20 years of active duty service and an additional 10 years of service in the inactive ready reserve.
Following retirement from the Navy, Clayton moved back to his hometown area. Over the years, he was employed as a truck driver with Catencamp Transfer, a driver with Sperberg Construction, a bus driver for the Shawano and Menominee school districts and for Cedar Lane Tours, and a taxi driver with Shawano Cab.
Clayton enjoyed many hobbies. He was a talented woodworker, great cook, enthusiastic gardener, world traveler and wonderful teller of “sea stories.” He and his wife, Lois, were avid square dancers as a young couple and enjoyed participating in square dance camping outings across Wisconsin as a family. Additionally, he was a servant leader in his community. He taught Sunday School at Zion Lutheran Church and served as a driver for those unable to drive themselves to Sunday services. He was also a volunteer bus driver for those with special needs.
Although his health declined substantially in recent years, he faithfully remained a member of several local and national military organizations, Vietnam Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, the Fleet Reserve Association, The Enlisted Association and Mobile Riverine Force Association.
Clayton is survived by his wife of 43 years, Lois; his daughter, Lena (Christian) Kaman; his son, LaRon; and his twin 1-year-old grandsons, his namesake Theodore Clay and Jean-Paul Luc Kaman. He is survived by his sister, Itola “Babe” Stewart; his brothers, Wallace “Sonny” Buettner and Otto “Bing” Buettner; his first wife, Patricia Buettner; step-children Jamie Johnsen, Michael Buettner and Bobbi Griesemer; and numerous other family members.
His father and mother preceded him in death, as did his brother Raymond “Huns” Buettner.
The family would like to thank the dedicated and caring staff at Shawano Health Services for providing excellent care and comfort to Clayton over the last five years.
Funeral services were held at Swedberg Funeral Home on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, with full military honors.
Clayton leaves a legacy of devotion to duty, kindness and selflessness.
www.swedbergfuneralhome.com
Clayton LaRon ‘Butch’ Buettner
