Hattie Marie Lilly Clinton's Obituary
Hattie Marie Lilly Clinton, nicknamed “Butch” by her father as a toddler, passed away serenely September 8 at Butterfield Trail Village in Fayetteville, Ark.
Butch was born January 18, 1936, to Owen and Hattie Bigham Lilly in Memphis, Tenn. She lived a long and beautiful life, devoted to serving and caring for others even as she was growing up in Memphis.
In the summer 1954, Butch made the long drive from Memphis to Fayetteville on a two-lane highway to enroll at the University of Arkansas. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi and cherished the relationships she had with her sorority sisters.
A beautiful love story began her sophomore year when and she and Roy became a couple forever. They were married in Memphis November 30, 1957.
Throughout her life, Mom has been described as “beautiful,” “loving,” “kind,” “gentle,” “generous,” and “compassionate,” by her family and friends, as well as by strangers whom she touched through her decades of volunteer service. She was also strong and resilient. These qualities helped her get through the first year of their marriage when Roy was critically injured in a car accident at the time she was pregnant with their first child. During those long days at what is now Washington Regional Medical Center, Butch spent time comforting Roy, but she also spent time comforting others who were hospitalized.
Her love, comfort, and care for others continued as she and Roy raised their three children. She was the best mother to them as well as to the many stray dogs the family adopted over the years, plus a stray cat that stayed around more than 20 years.
Butch continued to volunteer for many organizations in Northwest Arkansas, particularly those established for the causes of wellness and health care. She was the Washington County chairman for former First Lady Betty Bumpers’ “Every Child by ‘74” statewide immunization campaign.
Butch was a volunteer at Washington Regional for more than 40 years. She lovingly served others, whether they were coming for surgery or emergency room care or if she was making holiday tray favors to cheer hospital patients. Roy, the kids, and friends spent many hours assisting her as thousands of colored pipe cleaners were twisted into reindeer and turkeys, and other craft items were cut and glued for Easter and Fourth of July creations. Butch also delighted in decorating the Clinton home for all these holidays; if you don’t believe it, you should have seen their attic.
Butch had a particular passion for hospice care. Her service to Washington Regional continued as a volunteer and a board member for its hospice program. Butch used her green thumb to ensure plants that belonged to the home – as well as to the patients – were watered and trimmed. Most of all, she gave love and compassion as she provided companionship and comfort to patients.
Although Butch preferred to volunteer quietly and without notice, her special touch was noticed and appreciated. She and Roy were honored together in 2007 by Washington Regional with the Eagle Award for Outstanding Health Leadership. The Eagle Award is given to individuals or organizations that make outstanding contributions to the improvement of healthcare in Northwest Arkansas.
A devout Catholic, Butch was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fayetteville. She volunteered for countless activities – and for weekly linen service. Each Sunday for decades, Butch gathered the altar linens after services to take home, where she washed, dried, ironed, and folded every single piece in time to be delivered back to the church by the following Friday.
Butch and Roy shared a love for the outdoors. Although they were able to travel and enjoy outdoor activities, especially hiking, in many parts of the country, their greatest love was the Buffalo River area, particularly Newton County. They frequently packed up the kids and joined relatives and friends for wonderful times hiking, canoeing, and overnighting in cabins and tents. In 1980, they and two other families purchased a historic property in Ponca to remodel into what remains today a retreat for the three families.
After their children were grown, Butch and Roy spent a lot more time exploring what Roy calls, “magical, mystical Newton County;” leading Butch to comment, “if you can’t find us, don’t look for us on a paved road.” Roy took Butch on many hikes; some easy, and some quite difficult. After the more difficult ones, Butch would tell him, “I’ve done that now.”
The first week of September, 65 years ago, Roy and Butch started going steady. As their beautiful love story started coming to a close in the past few weeks, Roy has called Butch the most complete person he has ever known.
Butch is survived by her beloved husband, Roy, Jr., and three children; Marie Bruno (Gio) of North Little Rock; Roy Clinton, III, (Patricia) of Fayetteville; Theresa Clinton (Scott DuBois) of Texarkana, Tx.; five grandsons: Jack Bruno of Burbank, Calif.; Hunter Edwards of Fayetteville; Hayden Edwards of Green Forest; Cole Clinton and Connor Clinton of Fayetteville; and two adorable great-grandchildren, Cooper and Stevie Edwards. She is also survived by three step-grandchildren, Richard Bruno (Mary) of Baltimore, Md.; Dominic Bruno of North Little Rock; and Genevieve Bruno of Los Angeles, Calif.
The immediate family will have a private Mass and Burial for Butch at St. Joseph’s. A celebration is planned for the future when family and friends can gather again.
The family thanks the outstanding and compassionate caregivers and staff at Washington Regional, Walker Hospice, and Butterfield. We are grateful and thankful also for our extended family and dear friends for their prayers and love.
Please consider a memorial in Butch’s honor to the Willard Walker Hospice Home; 325 E. Longview St.; Fayetteville, AR 72703.
Butch was a lovely, kind, and amazing spirit. She was our beautiful angel.
Arrangements are under the direction of Moore’s Chapel.
To sign an online guestbook, visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com
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