WE were saddened to hear the news of David Butler’s death last month. David, a great friend of The Wokingham Paper, worked tirelessly at the Wokingham And District Association for the Elderly (WADE) over the last 15 years where he was Vice Chairman, and also Vice Chairman of the Wokingham Royal British Legion. Here, his colleagues from WADE pay tribute to him.
David Butler
12 Feb 1937 – 4 May 2016
David Butler was born and grew up in Northolt, Middlesex, attended Northolt primary school and secondary school for boys and went on to become a junior clerk at Selfridges in London. He also attended Northolt Methodist Church and at 14 joined the church youth club.
From 1955–57 David undertook National Service, firstly in the Grenadier Guards, and then transferred to the Middlesex regiment. In 1957 he returned to his job at Selfridges, and stayed with them until he retired in 1995. He moved to Wokingham with his parents in 1969.
During his employment he became involved in organising charity events and became Assistant Manager, due to his charity work with Macmillan nurses and Sue Ryder.
He organised an event for the Princess Royal which raised over £10,000, and was invited to take part in the 90th Birthday parade for the late Queen Mother, due to the fundraising he had carried out for the Textile Benevolent Association, and also was invited to her 100th birthday celebration on Horse Guards Parade.
David took early retirement to look after his elderly mother, which he did with great care and devotion until her death in 2001. David then joined WADE and soon became deputy chairman, with responsibility for fundraising, which he did with great dedication and success, persuading local businesses and organisations to donate gifts as prizes for events, or to make monetary donations, and also arranging quiz nights and jazz evenings.
He also supported other charities, the Royal British Legion, the NSPCC, the Red Cross and CancerCare, and was often seen in the town holding a collection box for one of these charities.
David received a well-earned Civic Award from Wokingham Town Council for his contributions to the community in 2005, of which he was very proud.
David became ill in July 2015 and was admitted to the Royal Berkshire Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where he stayed for nine days, before being transferred to the Sidmouth ward for five weeks, and spending a further five weeks in Wokingham hospital recuperating.
After a short spell back at home he became ill again and was readmitted to ICU on November 1. After 10 days he was admitted to the Berkshire Nursing Home for palliative care, where he remained until his death on May 4.
David will be sorely missed by the staff and members of WADE and by all the many people and organisations that he supported.
David’s funeral was held at 2.30pm on Tuesday, June 7 at the Easthampstead Park Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at the Methodist Church in Rose Street at 3pm. All friends are welcome, donations to Cancer Research UK or NSPCC via Miles and Daughters, Isabella House, 498 Reading Road, Winnersh, RG41 5EX Tel: 0118 979 3004.
