Horst "Butch" Cleveland

Horst H. "Butch" Cleveland, 79, of Temple passed away on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at the Community Living Center-VA in Temple.

Funeral services for Butch will be held on Monday, October 22, 2018 at 12:00 PM at the Dossman Funeral Home chapel in Belton with Rev. Justin Childers and Rev. Billy Johnson officiating. Burial with Full Military Honors will be at 2:00 PM at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas.

Butch was born on May 3, 1939 in Heidelberg, Germany to Charles and Maria Antonyete (Froschauer) Cleveland. He moved to the Bell County area at the age of 12. Mr. Cleveland graduated from Killeen High School in 1958. He enlisted in the US Army in 1962 and served honorably for over 26 years before retiring as a Major in 1986. During his time in the Army, Butch served as an infantryman, rotary wing pilot, and rotary wing instructor, as well as with the Special Forces as a Green Beret. Mr. Cleveland was deployed to Vietnam four times during which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, as well as numerous commendations. Butch married Alta J. "Nita" Willess on August 26, 1962 in Belton. After retirement, Butch worked as a rancher in the Bell County area and cut and baled hay for many local farmers. He received his Master's Degree and enjoyed substitute teaching for local high school agriculture departments. He was a member of the Special Forces Association, VFW 10377, the Belton Masonic Lodge, and was a longtime member of Miller Heights Baptist Church in Belton.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Michelle Price in 2013. He is survived by his wife Nita of Temple, daughter Marie Young of Justin, Texas, 6 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren.

Dossman Funeral Home in Belton is in charge of the arrangements.