Gordon "Butch" R. Winters

Gordon R. "Butch" Winters, 61, of Pendleton and formerly of Wallowa County, died Feb. 7 at his home.

A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Lostine Cemetery.

Gordon was born March 29, 1948, to Joy (Fine) and Virgil Winters in Enterprise. The couple divorced and Joy later married Arthur Bartmess. Butch grew up in Lostine and attended school in Lostine and graduated from Wallowa High School in 1967 before attending Eastern Oregon State College in La Grande and Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton.

Those who knew him say he was an accomplished football player and played in the Shrine game before playing for EOSC.

He married Toni Baird in Kennewick, Wash., on Dec. 19, 1969. They divorced a few years later.

He worked in outside sales for most of his career living in Pendleton, Sandpoint, Idaho, and the Wallowa County area, before moving back to Pendleton. Those who knew Butch say he loved people and made friends wherever he went.

Survivors include children, Joy Winters of Pendleton and Troy Winters (Debbie) of Dayville; step-father, Arthur "Bart" Bartmess of Joseph; three sisters, Verna Rhodes of Enterprise, Corliss Boner (Dale) of Enterprise and Linda LaRue (Del) of Ione; step-sister, Diana Snodderly (David) of Lodi, Calif.; step-brother, Dale Bartmess (Shirley) of Hurricane, Utah; and sister-in-law, Zora Roley (Edward) of South Beach. He is also survived by five grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Joy Bartmess; father, Virgil Winters; brother, Gary Winters; step-brother, Don Bartmess; ex-wife, Toni James; and brother-in-law, Archie "Bud" Rhodes.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to any charity.

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