Ward "Butch" Odom Rupp, Jr. passed away at the age of 83 on March 6, 2026, in Spokane, Washington, at Sacred Heart Hospital, surrounded by his family.

Butch was born in Pasco, Washington, to Ward O. Rupp, Sr. and Ellamae V. Rupp (Liebel) on February 22, 1943. He was the second oldest of nine children. The family moved from Kennewick to Republic, Washington, in 1950. After graduating from Republic High School in 1961, he spent a few months traveling across the United States before joining the U.S. Army in November 1961. He spent three years on active duty, stationed in Germany as a Combat Engineer.

After separating from the Army in 1964, he worked various jobs in Nevada and Washington, including owning his own commercial fishing boat in Ilwaco, WA, before returning to Republic full time. There he met and married the love of his life, Kathleen Northrop, in 1971. They shared 54 years of marriage and raised two children together, Jay and Paddi.

Butch worked his way up through the Ferry County Road Department and eventually retired as a foreman in 2005. During retirement, he enjoyed traveling between his home in Republic and spending winters on the beach at his daughter's home in Brookings, Oregon.

Butch loved his family deeply and cherished the time he spent with them. He also loved fishing, woodworking, and spending time working in his shop. He also enjoyed riding in the mountains on his side-by-side.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ward O. Rupp Sr. and Ellamae V. Rupp, and his brother, Ferry County Sheriff Sgt. George H. Rupp.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; his son, Ward "Jay" Odom Rupp, III of Republic, WA; and his grandchildren, Izabelle Rupp of Coeur d'Alene, ID and Eli Rupp of Republic, WA. He is also survived by his daughter, Paddi Lamar of Brookings, OR, and son-in-law, Jason Lamar; his grandchildren Jaelee Lamar and husband Kevin Lamar of Medford, OR, Lawrance Lamar of Portland, OR, Brittney Lamar of Brookings, OR, and Donnie Lamar of Portland, OR; and two great-grandchildren, Juniper and Violet.

He is also survived by his siblings: Myrna Fowler of Evanston, WY; Jim Rupp and his wife Cheryl of Wenatchee, WA; Alta Pruitt and her husband Jim of Republic, WA; Glenna Rupp of Pend Oreille, ID; Virginia Patrick and her husband Jim of Republic, WA; Dorothy Rupp and Larry Leinweber of Republic, WA; and Dawn Davis and her husband David Brinza of Sequim, WA.