Merlin William “Butch” Binder

Merlin William (Butch) Binder 69, Brownsville TX entered into eternal rest on January 26, 2018 at Valley Baptist Hospital. Merlin was a native of Beulah growing up on the family farmstead south of Beulah. He was born on December 3, 1948 to William and Lydia (Buechler) Binder in Beulah, ND. He was the youngest of eight children. Merlin attended school in Beulah and later at UND and Dickinson State. Merlin moved to Antioch, California where he worked as a construction superintendent and carpenter. He also had a passion for wood working. From his first marriage he had four children. He later moved to Brownsville TX with his second wife Kathy, where he planned on retiring. On Father’s Day 2005 Merlin was blessed to find out he had another daughter and two grandchildren.
If you knew Merlin, you knew he was a very happy go lucky man. Always in a good mood and “happy to see you” kind of guy! He would be the first one to strike up a conversation with you and be instant friends with anyone! You could always find him at the Moose Lodge playing darts on a Thursday night in Pittsburg, CA or at home barbecuing with his longtime friend Dan in Brownsville, TX. On Thanksgiving you could find him volunteering for the homeless shelter serving deep fried turkey. Merlin loved traveling with his brother Joe and later with his nephew Brad. For his last vacation trip Brad and Merlin started in Texas traveling up to South Dakota, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana and Idaho and ended their trip in California.
Merlin is survived by his children Wendy Bender, Sarah, Josh, Jeffrey and Janie Binder; grandchildren Cody, Shaylee, Jade and Evan. Two brothers Raymond (Janet) Binder, Walter (Marlys) Binder, four sisters Wilma Binder, Marge (Jerry) Kolm, Norine Paulson, Janis (Jack) Bennett, one sister in-law Arlene Binder and numerous nieces and nephews that will miss him dearly.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Kathy, one granddaughter Jordan Rae and his brother Norman(Joe) Binder.
May he rest in peace.