Everett Lee (Butch) Hutchens was born October 2, 1949 at Mooreland, OK, to Everett and Delores (Dryden) Hutchens. He passed from this life on March 7, 2008 at Wichita, KS, after a short illness, at the age of 58 years. Butch was raised in Vici, OK graduating with the class of 1967. He then attended four years at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, OK. During this time he also served in the Oklahoma National Guard holding the rank of Staff Sergeant and Section Chief.

At an early age Butch began helping his parents in their welding business. He spent many hours building cattle guards and going on wrecker calls. Butch was always a strong, capable man and handled any situation in a manner typical of his character. While attending college, Butch started working for Pizza Hut as a cook, working his way up to Executive Vice-President of High Plains Pizza Hut overseeing 28 Pizza Huts in five states. During this time Butch obtained his pilots license fulfilling one of many goals.

On December 25th, 1979 he was united in marriage to Colleen Nelson at Johnson, KS. Each brought sons to the marriage, Clint & Talon Hutchens and Chris Martin. Their family was complete when their son, Erik was born.

Butch was a wonderful father and teacher, not only to his boys but to his nephews as well. He took all of them on camping trips, teaching them to build camp fires, hunt for their supper and to cook it. Butch learned to ride horses at a very young age. This was something he passed down to his sons, grandchildren and nephews. Butch was a member of the Vici Rodeo Club and Christian Cowboys. He and Erik participated in and won the Vici Ranch Rodeo in 1992 & 1993.

In 1979 Butch moved his family to Woodward, OK, where they started their own business, Pizza Pan. He also owned and operated his own welding truck at this time. Then, in 1982, Butch was able to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a police officer. He worked for the Woodward Police Department from 1982-1985. He graduated at the top of his Cleet class, being the first officer from Woodward to achieve this honor. He was named officer of the year in 1983 and 1985. Butch went on to work for the Woodward County Sheriff's office from 1985 to 1991. In 1991 Butch went to work for the District Attorney's office as an investigator and continued until his death. Butch loved to learn. He accumulated over 2200 hours of state and federal training. It made no difference to Butch which side of the law you were on; he treated everyone with the same dignity and fairness. He believed we are all the same. During his career Butch was instrumental in starting the D.A.R.E. program in Woodward and the Drug Task Force and Bogus Check programs. Butch was a strong enforcer against alcohol and drug abuse. He loved his job and did it with pride and dignity. He was among the top when it came to investigating. He served in law enforcement for a total of 26 years.

Butch was always willing to help on the family farm. On May 1st, 1980 Butch and his dad, Everett, were working on a windmill when the gin poles of their truck accidentally came in contact with the high line. His dad was struck with 7,200 volts of electricity. Butch, seeing his father knocked down, jumped from the truck and was also hit with 7,200 volts of electricity. It entered through his little finger and exited out through his toes. He was still able to call for help and perform CPR on his dad until help arrived.

Butch was an avid outdoorsman and hunter. One of his adventures took him to Alaska, where he shot a black bear. At a later date he did something that few people have the opportunity to do which was to shoot a buffalo. He thoroughly enjoyed all hunting seasons and loved to take his sons and grandchildren along. His grandchildren were his pride and joy. He enjoyed spending any free time available with them whether it be just relaxing at home or going to the farm. As along as they were with him they were all happy!

Butch was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Delores Hutchens; his parents-in-law, JC and Shirley Nelson; and brother-in-law, Curtis Nelson.

Butch is survived by his wife Colleen; his sons, Clinton Buck of Creed, CO, Talon Josh and Jenn of Manhattan, KS, Christopher John Dale and Jenny of Cedarhill, TX, Erik Lee of Woodward, OK and by Sarah Biffle of Woodward who he considered his daughter; by sister, Debbie Hazelbaker and husband Wayne, brother Buddy Hutchens and wife LaRessa, sister, Leann Key and husband Bill, and family friend, Joan Salisbury, all of Vici, OK; by sister-in-law, Corrine Nelson of FL; brother-in-law, Clem Nelson and wife Sherry of KS; by his grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, other loved ones and a host of friends.