Gerald Edward “Butch” Emig, 75, of Williamsport passed away Saturday June 13, 2020 at the Gatehouse of Divine Providence Hospital. Surviving is his loving wife, Deborah D. (Godfrey) Emig.
Born November 5, 1944 in Williamsport he was a son of the late Daryl Albert, Sr. and Mary E. (Comfort) Emig.
Butch was a 1962 graduate of Williamsport High School and proudly served his country in the United States Navy Reserves. He worked for Rishel/Hon and was currently employed as the plant purchasing manager at John Savoy and Sons where he started in 1997.
He was a life member and past officer of the Republican League, 2nd degree, 50 year member and past officer of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #214, a member of the Red Run Rod & Gun Club, and the Newberry Independent Club.
Always the organizer, Butch was a charter member of the Ridgerunners Hunting Club of Arnot, PA. and served as President/Secretary/Treasurer. He assisted with gathering 24 men to hunt bear in Folyet, Canada for three years. An avid sportsman he held a pheasant shoot at Martz’s Gap View Hunting preserve for 19 years, assembling 22 men each of those years for the hunt. Butch was the ringleader of Butch and Bob’s Trout Shoot each April officially for 20 years, at Bob’s cabin on Pine Creek, where it continues un-officially each April marking 35 years of tradition.
Butch was Bob’s skeet shooting partner for nearly 50 years. In 2011 his grandson Jack turned 12 and continued on the legacy shooting skeet with Pap, soon he had a better gun and that is the way it should be.
When he wasn’t showing unconditional love to his family, working at Savoy or giving 150% to anything and everything he did; he was an avid fisherman, golfer, and reader. He enjoyed reading on his kindle gathering and sharing knowledge on anything he read.
Butch and Debbie were married on June 18, 1966, he discovered early it was all about her and did whatever he could just to see her smile. He really relished the role of being the wind beneath her wings for the past 54 years.
A proud and amazing father, “Life was all about Paula until Jack and Olivia joined us.” Deb, Paula, Pat, Jack and Olivia could not ask for anything that their beloved Husband, Dad and Pap couldn’t deliver on. As OP would agree “Pap has everything in his garage.” They enjoyed many family trips to Cape May and Rehoboth Beach.
He was constantly found in the stands as a proud supporter for baseball, softball, soccer, swim meets, basketball, football, track and field, band concerts, marching band, and the soap box derby. Pap enjoyed spending many hours collecting Little League World Series Pins, OM Trips, reading, playing cards, and sorting through coins with Jack and Olivia doing whatever they needed or wanted, Pap was always there.
Surviving in addition to his wife is a daughter, Paula Diane Holmes (Patrick L. ), of Cogan Station; two grandchildren, Jack T. Holmes and Olivia P. “OP” Holmes; siblings, Daryl A. Emig, Jr. (Darlis), of Addison NY, Larry “Chick” Emig (Barb), of Williamsport, Dennis Emig (Jill), of South Williamsport, and Jackie Schultz (Dennis), of Montoursville .
Butch was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Dixie Mitchell, a brother, Ron Emig and two sisters-in-law, Betty Ann Emig and Beth Emig.
A graveside service will be held 3 p.m. Friday June 19, at Twin Hills Memorial Park, 3332 Lycoming Mall Dr., Muncy, PA 17756.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Butch’s name may be made to the Sportsman’s Youth Shooting Program at Consolidated Sportsman’s of Lycoming County (CSLC), Attention: Mark Forsburg, PO BOX 192, Williamsport, PA 17703-0192.
Online condolences may be made under Butch’s memorial page at http://www.SandersMortuary.com
