I was born on Easter Sunday, 1955, in St. Charles, Missouri, to Barbara and Lee Page. I was given my grandfather’s name, Orval, but my grandmother Molly refused to call me that. She planned to call me Peter because of Easter Sunday, but instead she called me Butch — and the name stuck.
In 1959, my family moved to a cattle farm outside Cleveland, Missouri. I grew up there, working hard and learning responsibility. By sixteen, I was running my own hay business, making twelve cents a bale, and saving money. I attended school in Cleveland and lived in the same house for thirteen years until I joined the Army on April 13th, 1973.
During my junior year of high school, I broke my neck in a football game against Drexel, Missouri. But I secretly enlisted in the Army anyway, without my parents knowing. At Fort Leonard Wood, the Army discovered my injury and wanted to discharge me, but I convinced them to let me train harder. I worked before breakfast each day, built up my strength, and passed my PT test. I then went to Fort Knox, Kentucky, to train as a Cavalry Scout.
I was assigned to K Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, on the Czech border in Germany. I spent three years there in some of the coldest weather I’d ever known. When I returned to the States in 1976, I served with the 1139th MPs. That same year, I married Virginia Petkou, and together we welcomed my first amazing daughter, Tabitha.
Later, I transferred into the U.S. Air Force and trained at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, as an air traffic controller. During this time, I met Joyce and my son Joe was born, whom I didn’t know about for years. I was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, where I became a supervisor in both the tower and radar unit. I married Vickie Stowe, and we were blessed with two more amazing daughters, Sara and Nicohle.
In 1985, I was sent to Clark Air Base in the Philippines, where I served as a radar supervisor and later as NCOIC of PACMARF, a special operations center. My work took me to many countries, and while stationed there, I earned my Master Rescue Scuba Diver certification. After five years in the Philippines, I transferred to RAF Lakenheath in England, where I served as a supervisor in the control tower. I was on duty when we launched F-111s during the Gulf War using silent light-gun signals.
I retired from the military in 1994, after 21 years of service. During that time, I was deeply honored to receive numerous medals and awards for my service to my country.
I returned to Missouri, living in Pleasant Hill and working a variety of jobs: substitute teaching, sheriff’s dispatcher, caseworker, truck driver, and more. Eventually, I became a government contractor with Homeland Security, GSA, and ICE, where I served for 18 years. I also helped organize the local security officers’ union and served as Chief Steward of Local 249 for five years.
In 1998, I met my wife and best friend, Susan Foster. With her love and support, I accomplished many of the greatest parts of my life.
Along the way, I earned an associate’s degree in communications and a bachelor’s degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I was honored to serve on Congresswoman Vicki Hartzler’s Military Advisory Committee. I was active in the VFW, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Air Force Sergeants Association, Christian Motorcyclist Association, and the Second Cavalry Association. I served as a VFW commander and district chaplain, taught Sunday school at Archie First Baptist Church, sat on the board of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, and took mission trips to Ghana and Guatemala. I was proud to the core for the boy scouts of America and present eagle scout awards to many young men. I also had the joy of dressing as Santa Claus and visiting nursing homes to bring smiles to others. I currently attend Hope City Church in Harrisonville and volunteer with the jail ministry.
My faith was always central to my life. With Charlie 22 Outdoors, I led Bible studies for veterans and was inspired to start a PTSD Bible ministry, helping others find healing and strength through Christ. At home, I held Bible studies surrounded by Christ-loving individuals who encouraged me in my walk. God, family, and country were always my priorities.
Life outside of service brought me joy as well. I loved camping in Wyoming’s wilderness, climbing mountains with close friends, fishing, gardening, raising chickens, riding my Harley, carving walking sticks, the veterans community project dubbed me “the walking stick man” for the many sticks I made, and taking long evening drives with Susan to discover new roads. I also enjoyed photography and storm spotting. I even ran for political office a few times, though I never won.
I was blessed with nine grandchildren, and each brought me pride and happiness. Through it all, I tried to live fully, love deeply, and never let any dust settle under my feet.
I loved my family, my comrades, and my country. To my wife, Susan, to my children, and to my grandchildren: keep your heads up and keep smiling. I had a great life.
As we Cavalrymen say, I’ll be waiting at Fiddler’s Green, always ready.
Visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 25, 2025 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.
Funeral Service will be held 9:00 a.m. Friday, September 26, 2025 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.
Interment will be 12:30 p.m. Friday, September 26, 2025 at Fort Scott National Cemetery, Fort Scott, Kansas with Military Honors by Whiteman Air Force Honor team.
Memorial Contributions may be made to:
- Shiloh Center, 208 Oriole St, Harrisonville, MO 64701
- Child Rescue, 11201 Parallel Pkwy, Kansas City, KS 66109
- - Charlie 22 Outdoors, 115 N Madison St, Webb City, MO 64870
- - College of the Ozarks, One Opportunity Ave, Point Lookout, MO 65726
- - Hope City Church Cass County, 2737 Cantrell Rd, Harrisonville, MO 64701
- - VFW National Home, 3573 S Waverly Rd, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827
