Lawrence “Butch/Larry” R. Wotring, 80, of Kewanee, died Thursday, November 16, 2023, at his home surrounded by family. Larry was born December 24, 1942, in Adrian, Michigan, the son of Reed M. and Esther (Wagner) Wotring. Larry graduated from Blissfield High School, graduating with the class of 1961.
Larry was drafted by the United States Army on December 12, 1962. He served as a Specialist E-4 at the Tan Son Nhut Airforce Base, Ammo Dump in Vietnam. Larry was a duty driver, he drove a semi back and forth from the port to the Saigon River; one of his assignments was driving General William Westmoreland around on the weekends, where Larry also got to enjoy the officer’s lavish dinners.
Upon returning home, Larry joined the Odd Fellows, of which he was a 50-year member. Larry was also a life member of the VFW and the American Legion. After returning from the war in 1964, he helped with his dad’s business, installing quarter car washes in Michigan. Larry moved from Adrian, Michigan to Kewanee in 1967. He worked installing all the wiring at McNeill Asphalt. In 1971, he worked installing 150 fence rods on the farm for Jimmy Krause. Larry went back to McNeill’s in 1973 and retired from Denton Gunther Companies, Galesburg in 2002. During that time, he also worked for Bill Currier up until his passing.
Larry married Lauretta “Laurie” J. Baker on February 23, 1974, at the Church of Peace, Kewanee; she survives. Larry enjoyed camping. He and Laurie enjoyed traveling to Hawaii every year from 1984 until 2004. They then switched to spending their winters in San Marcos, Texas and Victoria, Texas from 2005 until 2020.
Larry is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Pamela Anderson, Kewanee; grandchildren, Carly (Tommy), Kalynn, and Wes (Liz Hahn) Anderson; four great grandchildren, Evelynn Anderson, Kohlsyn Hahn, Donavin Hoffmann, Daimien Hoffmann; and a sister, Nancy (Herb) Estes, Jackson, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Linda Wotring-Gee.
Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Monday, November 20, 2023, at Golnick-Schueneman Funeral home. Funeral services will be at 10:00 am, Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at the funeral home. Pastor Andrew Christman will officiate. Burial will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Military Rites will be accorded by the Kewanee Veterans Council. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior’s Project. Please leave an online condolence for Larry’s family at www.golnickschuenemanfh.com.
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Lawrence "ButchLarry" R. Wotring hosted by Golnick-Schueneman Funeral Home.
Lawrence “Butch/Larry” R. Wotring, 80, of Kewanee, died Thursday, November 16, 2023, at his home surrounded by family. Larry was born December 24, 1942, in Adrian, Michigan, the son of Reed M. and Esther (Wagner) Wotring. Larry graduated from Blissfield High School, graduating with the class of 1961.
Larry was drafted by the United States Army on December 12, 1962. He served as a Specialist E-4 at the Tan Son Nhut Airforce Base, Ammo Dump in Vietnam. Larry was a duty driver, he drove a semi back and forth from the port to the Saigon River; one of his assignments was driving General William Westmoreland around on the weekends, where Larry also got to enjoy the officer’s lavish dinners.
Upon returning home, Larry joined the Odd Fellows, of which he was a 50-year member. Larry was also a life member of the VFW and the American Legion. After returning from the war in 1964, he helped with his dad’s business, installing quarter car washes in Michigan. Larry moved from Adrian, Michigan to Kewanee in 1967. He worked installing all the wiring at McNeill Asphalt. In 1971, he worked installing 150 fence rods on the farm for Jimmy Krause. Larry went back to McNeill’s in 1973 and retired from Denton Gunther Companies, Galesburg in 2002. During that time, he also worked for Bill Currier up until his passing.
Larry married Lauretta “Laurie” J. Baker on February 23, 1974, at the Church of Peace, Kewanee; she survives. Larry enjoyed camping. He and Laurie enjoyed traveling to Hawaii every year from 1984 until 2004. They then switched to spending their winters in San Marcos, Texas and Victoria, Texas from 2005 until 2020.
Larry is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Pamela Anderson, Kewanee; grandchildren, Carly (Tommy), Kalynn, and Wes (Liz Hahn) Anderson; four great grandchildren, Evelynn Anderson, Kohlsyn Hahn, Donavin Hoffmann, Daimien Hoffmann; and a sister, Nancy (Herb) Estes, Jackson, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Linda Wotring-Gee.
Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Monday, November 20, 2023, at Golnick-Schueneman Funeral home. Funeral services will be at 10:00 am, Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at the funeral home. Pastor Andrew Christman will officiate. Burial will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Military Rites will be accorded by the Kewanee Veterans Council. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior’s Project. Please leave an online condolence for Larry’s family at www.golnickschuenemanfh.com.
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Lawrence "ButchLarry" R. Wotring hosted by Golnick-Schueneman Funeral Home.
