Alvin Francis

Alvin Butch Francis, 68, of Great Falls, a retired dispatcher for Montana Power and Army veteran, died of cardiac arrest on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at a local hospital.A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel.Cremation has taken place.Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.Alvin Butch Francis was born on April 3, 1944 in Portland, Oregon to Roy Meekin Francis and Emma (Van Diest) Francis. He graduated from Helena High School in 1963.In April of 1962, he enlisted in the Army National Guard.He became an IS Radio Operator at Fort Knox, Kentucky in 1963.Butch was also a riffle MI expert and MG7.62mm sharp shooter and 35K20 Avionics mechanic.In 1967, Butch worked as a KBLL radio engineer in Helena and then at Alkn Electric.He moved to Great Falls in 1969, where he worked at the Montana Power Company until his retirement in 2000.Butch enjoyed race cars, HAM radio, fishing, camping, hunting, working out in his garage shop, and playing with his companion dog (Nightmare!).He especially enjoyed socializing with friends and loving on all of his grandchildren.Everyone who knew Butch loved him. Butch had a great sense of humor and would always say you gotta have a sense of humor.Alvin Butch is survived by his wife, Carlena Francis of Great Falls; children Jody Reynolds of Columbia Falls, Jason Francis of Clancy, Glenn Kincaid, Jr. of Butte, Les Kincaid of Anchorage, AK, Scott Kincaid and Holly Kincaid both of Great Falls; sisters June Abbott, Barb Amndson of Boise, ID and Lila Hallenberg of Helena; brothers Clarance Francis and Tom Francis both of Helena, and Ralph Francis of Spokane, WA; eight grandchildren; and one great-granchild.He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Emma Francis; his infant brother, David and older brother, Roy Francis, Jr.; and a grandson Roy Francis.Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com.