CENTRALIA — Olen “Butch” Border Jr., 79, passed away, Tuesday, August 2, 2022, peacefully at his home with his family by his side. Butch was born July 23, 1943, in Central City, the son of Olen F Border Sr. and Grace (Phelps) Border. He married Carol Little in 1974 and they later divorced. He married Margaret Kohrig and she preceded him in death on August 13, 2018.
Butch is survived by a son; Nicholas Border of Centralia, a daughter; Greta (Border) Johnson and husband Justin of Texas; one granddaughter Sophia Johnson of Texas and 3 sisters; Lena Knight of St. Louis, Mo; Martha Baggett of Salem, Il and Saundra Harrison and husband Rocky Sr. of Georgia. He was also survived by many nieces and nephews; special friend Joice Litvinas and a host of cherished community and “Orphan Nation “friends.
Butch was preceded in death by his parents Olen Sr. and Grace Border; and wife Margaret Border.
Butch grew up in Centralia, Illinois attending Central City Grade School class of 1957, where he played basketball his 6th, 7th and 8th grade years. He attended Centralia High School class of 1961 where he participated in Football, Basketball, and Track; was a member of the FBLA, Pep Club YFC and a Junior Seller. Butch went on to attend Centralia Junior College Class of 1963 before joining and serving four years in the U.S. Air Force. Butch work for BN-SF railroad for 28 years until he retired.
Butch has always been involved in many community events, boards and committees; he was the President of CHS All Sports Booster Club Since 1995 and Headup Fundraising, President of CHS Sports Hall Of Fame, Committee Member of Centralia Youth Football League, Co-Chair Celebration of 90 Years of Orphan Basketball (1996), Created “ Wall of Fame “ for all Staters, State Champions and All Star Teams, Kept the records for the Orphans “Americas Winningest Basketball Team, worked with Legislature to have highway signs designated “ Winningest Team In The Nation “ at 4 entrances into Centralia, Centralia Township Trustee, Centralia Township Clerk, Marion County Board Member, Salvation Army Board Member.
Butch was a friend to everyone who knew him; he was known as “The Golden Orphan”; always cheering on his favorite team. It did not matter what sporting event you were at, Butch was usually leading “The Orphanage “ and getting the students and fans pumped up. Butch was always involved with CHS and the future of the young men and women and will always be remembered as Centralia High School’s #1 “Orfan”.
Funeral services for Butch Border will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 5, 2022, at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia with Military Rites accorded at the grave by the American Legion Post 446 and the V.F.W. Post 2055. A visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the foyer of the front entrance of the Centralia High School gym.
In memory of Butch, memorial donations may be made to the family and will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street in Centralia, IL 62801 618-532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Border family.
Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting sutherlandfuneralhome.com or the funeral home’s Facebook page.