Wenford \"Butch\" Abbs
October 8, 1942 – March 11, 2021
Butch will be laid to rest at a private service at Fort Custer National Cemetery. A celebration of his life will take place on March 18, 2021, from 1:30 p.m. –5:00 p.m. at the VFW Post 1527 1920 E Kilgore Rd., Kalamazoo, MI.
Obituary
On Wednesday, March 11 “Butch” Wenford Abbs passed away peacefully in his home with his girls by his side. Butch was born October 8, 1942, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1960, and served honorably in the United States Army from 1964-1967. Butch retired in 1991, after working as an electrician for the Kalamazoo Regional Psychiatric Hospital for 23 years. Upon retiring, Butch and Donna moved to McMillion, Michigan; he considered this piece of the Upper Peninsula “Heaven on Earth”. In 2001 Butch and Donna moved back to the area to be close to family. Butch was preceded in death by his parents, Wenford and Rose and his brother, Donald. Butch is survived by his wife of 32 years Donna; his daughters, Becci (Eric) Kucks and Beth (Mike) Wolfe; step-children Jeff, Karen and Roger Sellers; grandchildren Cory (Heather) Abbs, Jacob Abbs, Taylor Kucks, Michael Wolfe and Andrew Wolfe; great-grandchildren Joseph and Brayden Abbs; several step-grandchildren; sister, Viola Dock; and several nieces and nephews...he adored them all.
Please accept by condolences for the loss of your father. Loss of a father. Grandfather, best friend is so personal now you have your own personal guardian angel. May he rest in the eternal light and give you strength and courage during this very sad time Love Lu
I love you Daddy!
Donna and the girls, I am so sorry—— I worked with Butch at the State Hospital in fact I kept his timesheet for 23 years in the Engineering Dept. He was a very hard worker, as y’all well know. Butch had a very kind heart and he was always willing to help when anyone at work had electrical problems. He was a very kind and a respectable person.
he was a nice man and a lot of fun at GKAA, will miss him
Butch touched so many lives. He was our Youth Leader at Lighthouse (Kalamazoo Wesleyan) Church. He knew what teens needed, understood their issues and helped whenever & wherever he could. He will be remembered by all who knew him.
Butch, my bestfriend and brother for 62 years. Forever in my mind and heart. Looking forward to our next meeting. Love you, Ron Shephard
I had the privilege of knowing and working with Butch shortly after his discharge from the military. He was one of the most positive and humorous people I have known and was a joy to be around. He somehow found a way to focus on the positive regardless of life circumstances. He had a significant influence on me that I am forever grateful for. He simply made the world a better place both then and now.
From the Kalamazoo Missionary Church to the State Hospital, Butch was such a positive presence. His sense of humor and caring ways were a constant, no matter where you ran into him. My mother thought the world of him and they shared a special friendship throughout his years at the church. To the Abbs family, please know how sorry I am for your loss and may his memories bring you love and laughter.