Wayne Fremont Butts

Wayne Fremont Butts, devoted husband, father, papa, and friend to many, died peacefully at home in Challis, Idaho on January 8, 2024, with his loved ones by his side.

Wayne was born December 14, 1955 in Los Banos, California to James and Donna Butts. When Wayne was 11 years old his family moved from California to Challis, Idaho. As a teen he would spend his time exploring the mountains hunting, fishing, and causing mischief. He graduated from Challis High school in 1974. After high school Wayne spent time trapping, working as a core driller, and factory work for his dad in Gustine, California. It was there that he met Kathy Laubach, the love of his life. It didn’t take long though, for the mountains and rivers to call him back to his Idahome. The couple married at Little Bayhorse Lake near Challis, Idaho, on August 15, 1981 in a small ceremony with close family and friends. Wayne always made sure Kathy had not just one, but two or more anniversary or birthday cards to mark special occasions. He adored her and the two were inseparable.

The couple was blessed with two daughters, Marla and Melanie. As a father he was a confidant, protective, strong, and supportive to no end.

Wayne enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and Jeep trips in the mountains around Challis with his family. He also loved welding and fabrication and his work can be seen at many businesses and homes in and around town.

Wayne was a man of countless talents and wore many hats in the community of Challis. His years of service began as a volunteer fireman and he proudly served as Fire Chief. He trained to be a Basic EMT and raised the bar further by becoming an Advanced EMT as well. He devoted 26 years to the volunteer ambulance service and became an EMS instructor at all levels. He took so much pride in his role as an instructor and would thoughtfully review and prepare each lesson. Wayne was never fond of needles but he would always allow his students to practice IV’s on him and would do live demonstrations with nasal airways and other self-inflicted learning tools. Countless dinners, birthdays, and holidays were met with radio tones and Wayne racing out the door to respond. It gave his family immense pride to know that he was out there helping others in their time of need. Having him on the scene of a call meant he’d be giving his patients his all.

In 2004 a work-related accident forever changed the course of Wayne’s life, leaving him with a spinal cord injury. His doctor obviously did not know Wayne Butts and informed him he’d never walk again. In true Wayne fashion, he showed everyone how wrong they were! Through a long recovery process he regained the ability to walk, dance with his girls, climb mountains to hunt and fish, and not be limited. When his mind was set on something his determination was unstoppable. The injury would leave him with years of chronic pain, though no one would hear him ask, “Why me?” Instead, his extreme resilience allowed him to overcome tremendous roadblocks. He was the hardest worker one would ever meet, making sure to embrace the day from sunup to sun down. There was always something to fix, a project to start, and a lawn to mow.

Wayne loved serving the people of Custer County as commissioner for 20 years. At times outspoken, he refused to shy away from tough conversations and worked to find solutions. Wayne served on many committees and boards within the county and state such as the District 7 Health Board, Magistrate Commission Board, chair of the Idaho Association of Counties(IAC) Public Lands Committee, IAC’s Transportation; Environment, Energy, and Land Use; and Justice and Public Safety committees. His role as IAC representative for the Western Interstate Region allowed him to travel to Washington D.C. several times advocating for needs affecting the west. He was successful in getting a resolution passed by the state and national county organizations that urged Congress to pass legislation requiring private groups like conservation organizations to pay a fee in lieu of taxes to counties in which they have purchased property and donated it to the federal government for conservation purposes.

In 2019 he was presented the Mills Adler Award and in 2022 he was honored to be appointed by the Governor to The Citizens Action Group on fentanyl.

Wayne is survived by his loving wife of forty-two years, Kathy; daughters Marla (Craig) Andrews of Challis; Melanie (Bryton) Goodrum of Idaho Falls; grandchildren Elijah, Elizabeth, Jayden, and Colton Andrews; Olivia and Hailey Goodrum; step-father Thomas Butts of Challis; mother-in-law Thelma (Edward) Gomes of Las Vegas, NV; brother Ron (Wendy) Butts of Challis; sisters Cindy Butts of Randle, WA; Tammi (John) James of Boise; and Tonya (Mike) Clifford of Challis; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father James Butts and mother Donna Butts.

A Celebration of Wayne’s life will be held in Challis on June 22nd.

Words cannot accurately describe how deeply his loss is felt and how much he will be missed. His nephew Jason stated, “His legacy is a testament to the indomitable spirit that defines a real hero. Shoes not soon filled. A true pillar of strength.”