STOW — Lawrence W. Butters Sr., 78, of Stow, passed away March 22, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Lawrence was the loving husband of Lena Parmenter. They were married Dec. 25, 1953.

He was born May 15, 1932, at home, the son of Sewall Butters Sr. and Iva Smith Butters. He attended one-room school houses in Fryeburg Center, Fryeburg Harbor and Stow and attended Fryeburg Academy. He then drove truck for C.N. Brown, was drafted in June 1954 to the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany for 18 months.

After his two years in the Army, he went to work for Shirley Gerry and operated the first Blue Ox Skidder in Northern New England. He then became a logger, working for Herman Merrill, then the Eastman brothers for 33 years or more. He worked for Albert Farms and the Maine Turf Co. dealing with potatoes and turf.

Lawrence loved to fish and hunt. Family and friends have enjoyed listening to many hunting and fishing stories over the years. He also loved to bowl. He entered many tournaments, won some and also won title of State Champion in many of these events.

Besides he wife, Lena, he is survived by his seven children, Lawrence W. Butters Jr. and his wife, Cindy, of Stow, Donald Butters of Center Conway, N.H., Julie Kiesman of Rockledge, Fla., Helen Bashaw of Stow, Paul Butters of Center Conway, N.H., Jason Butters and his wife, Lisa, of Center Conway, N.H., and John Butters of Stow; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sisters, Marguerite Rice of Franklin, Pa., Yolande Marie Eastman of Gloucester, Mass., Barbara Rudolph of Magnolia, Mass., and Miriam Eastman of Fryeburg; brother, Robert Butters of Stow; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by brothers, Bertram Butters, Sewall Butters Jr., and Walter Butters; and sisters, Althea Martin, Nina Butters and Helen Johnson.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.org.