James "Jim" "Butch" Francis Thayer's Obituary
James “Jim” “Butch” Francis Thayer, age 73, of West Olive passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at home. He was born December 16, 1948, in Detroit, MI to Francis Enfield and Jean A. (Cross) Thayer and married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Lila Heck, on June 15, 1968, at St. Francis Borgia in Pigeon, MI. He resided on the east side of the state for a number of years before moving to West Olive in 1978.
Jim served his country in the Army during the Vietnam War and was a very active member of the Charles A. Conklin American Legion Post # 28 where he had served as past finance manager. He was a tool & die maker for ten years at Hydro Aluminum Tool & Die and then owned and operated Butch’s Beach Burritos, working together with his wife for thirty-two years. Jim loved working with his family, doing crossword puzzles, reading, playing video games with the kids and grandkids, and socializing at the Legion.
He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Elizabeth “Liz” Thayer; daughter, Rebecca Ruiz; two sons, Steve (Korina) Thayer and Eric (Andrea) Thayer; twelve grandchildren: Serina Ruiz, Anthony Thayer, Alannah (Matthew) Wilkerson, Jacob, Sidney, Lucas, Jadon and Juliana Thayer, Seth Aplin, Trevor, Kaylynn and Kaylani Young; great-grandson, Jackson Wilkerson; two sisters, M. Jaqueline (Pewter) Smith and Kathleen (James) Murdoch; brother, Thomas (Debbie) Thayer; two brothers-in-law, Ray (Sandy) Zottneck and Carl (Marla) Heck; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The funeral service for Jim will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 23, 2022, at Summit Church with Rev. Todd Hostetter and Chaplain Duane Smith officiating, with full military honors accorded by the Charles A. Conklin American Legion Post #28 Honor Guard. Friends may meet the family from 1 – 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 22, at The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services 620 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be directed to the Greatest Needs Fund at the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation in memory of Jim “Butch” Thayer or the Charles A. Conklin American Legion Post #28 Scholarship Fund. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.sytsemafh.com.
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