1931
Doris
2023
Doris June (Frey) Buttram
June 1, 1931 — February 5, 2023
Doris June Buttram, aged 91, passed away peacefully at her home in Albuquerque, NM, on Sunday, February 5, 2023.
Doris was born in St. Louis, MO, to Earl and Ruth Frey, the eldest of two children. Two of her favorite childhood activities were visiting her grandparents' farm in the country and going to the big movie palaces in town. When she was 23, the family moved to Phoenix, AZ, where she met her future husband, Lt. Billy Joe Buttram, at a cadets' dance at Williams AFB. They married in September 1955, and she embarked on the nomadic life of a military wife. Over the next 20 years, the family lived in Chicopee, MA, Plattsburgh, NY, Warner Robins, GA, Roswell, NM, and Minot, ND, before settling in Albuquerque. During that time she served in officers' wives clubs, ran the household, and raised four children.
Doris is remembered by those who knew and loved her as a doting wife, mother, and grandmother who was the glue of the family. She had a mischievous sense of humor and was quick to laugh at herself or any silliness. Her giggles were infectious. Although shy by nature, she was up for almost any adventure with a little encouragement: kayaking, horseback riding, boating, riding roller coasters, and hiking. The one adventure she could never be talked into was riding the aerial tramway to Sandia Peak. She loved to vacation with family, and her travels took her to such places as the Grand Canyon, San Francisco, Paris, Hawaii, Charlottesville, Niagara Falls, Las Vegas, and Houston. Throughout her life, Doris enjoyed lively games of Canasta, Parcheesi, Uno, and Pictionary. Win or lose, the fun was in spending time with family.
She is survived by her children, Susan Synarski and wife, Birgitta Meckel, Kathy Chilcoat, David Buttram, and William (Scott) Buttram; her grandchildren, Kristoffer Chilcoat and wife, Kristen, Joshua Buttram and wife, Brandi, and Jordan Buttram; her great-grandchildren, Kaleb, Channing, and Declan Buttram; and her brother, Richard Frey and wife, Marsha.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Ret. Air Force Major Billy Joe Buttram. Doris was laid to rest with him at Santa Fe National Cemetery on Friday, February 17, 2023.
The family expresses deep gratitude to Mayberry Senior Services and Roadrunner Hospice for their loving support of Doris toward the end of her life.
Doris was born in St. Louis, MO, to Earl and Ruth Frey, the eldest of two children. Two of her favorite childhood activities were visiting her grandparents' farm in the country and going to the big movie palaces in town. When she was 23, the family moved to Phoenix, AZ, where she met her future husband, Lt. Billy Joe Buttram, at a cadets' dance at Williams AFB. They married in September 1955, and she embarked on the nomadic life of a military wife. Over the next 20 years, the family lived in Chicopee, MA, Plattsburgh, NY, Warner Robins, GA, Roswell, NM, and Minot, ND, before settling in Albuquerque. During that time she served in officers' wives clubs, ran the household, and raised four children.
Doris is remembered by those who knew and loved her as a doting wife, mother, and grandmother who was the glue of the family. She had a mischievous sense of humor and was quick to laugh at herself or any silliness. Her giggles were infectious. Although shy by nature, she was up for almost any adventure with a little encouragement: kayaking, horseback riding, boating, riding roller coasters, and hiking. The one adventure she could never be talked into was riding the aerial tramway to Sandia Peak. She loved to vacation with family, and her travels took her to such places as the Grand Canyon, San Francisco, Paris, Hawaii, Charlottesville, Niagara Falls, Las Vegas, and Houston. Throughout her life, Doris enjoyed lively games of Canasta, Parcheesi, Uno, and Pictionary. Win or lose, the fun was in spending time with family.
She is survived by her children, Susan Synarski and wife, Birgitta Meckel, Kathy Chilcoat, David Buttram, and William (Scott) Buttram; her grandchildren, Kristoffer Chilcoat and wife, Kristen, Joshua Buttram and wife, Brandi, and Jordan Buttram; her great-grandchildren, Kaleb, Channing, and Declan Buttram; and her brother, Richard Frey and wife, Marsha.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Ret. Air Force Major Billy Joe Buttram. Doris was laid to rest with him at Santa Fe National Cemetery on Friday, February 17, 2023.
The family expresses deep gratitude to Mayberry Senior Services and Roadrunner Hospice for their loving support of Doris toward the end of her life.
To send flowers to the family in memory of Doris June (Frey) Buttram, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Graveside Service
Friday, February 17, 2023
Starts at 11:00 am (Mountain time)
Santa Fe National Cemetery
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