Chester Butler along with his new bride Ignacia Bordallo Butler founded Butler's Store in 1915 in Hagatna, the capital of Guam. The store mostly consisted of general merchandise and the newest and most up to date ice cream parlor serving fresh made ice cream and soda concoctions.

Additionally Butler's bottled several flavors of soda water. This operation was from a simple machine which carbonated water after it was flavored. A movie theater was eventually added and several distributorships were to become an essential source of needed items throughout the island. A small radio station K6LG was broadcasting the latest events of the island.

Chester Butler was from Sunset County Texas and came to Guam as part of a naval deployment that had stopped in Guam and then continued on to the Philippines. He served as a printer aboard ship.

Ignacia, his new bride was the daughter of Baltazar Bordallo and Rita Pangelinan a prominent family from Agat. The family's economic strength came from agriculture and cattle. The Bordallos like many Spanish landowners worked the land given to them as land grants during the Spanish rule from 1521 to 1898.

Chester Butler was proud of his American citizenship however when World War Two broke out he paid the price for that birthright and was taken to a prison camp in Japan for the duration of the war.

By 1941 Butlers had grown significantly and the business now included the first bottling plant for Coca Cola (1923) outside the continental U.S. Additionally the business had acquired several major distributorships for national merchandise. The most important print publications of the day including Life Magazine, Look, Newsweek, and Time all graced the shelves of Butler's.

On the morning of December 8, 1941 the Feast of the Immaculate Conception was being observed when news of the Japanese attacks in Sumay spread throughout Hagatna.

Prior to the war Chester Butler had been instrumental in founding the Rotary club of Guam serving as the charter president. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the Guam Chamber of Commerce. He assisted in the foundation of the Elks club. And served as Esteamed Lectureing Knight.

Butler's had grown to become the largest business in all of Guam. As Butlers flourished so did the islands economy. Receiving recognition from national corporations added to the economic prosperity enjoyed by all. With the advent of a world war and the island being "captured" the history of Guam was being written.

After the war Chester Butler was returned to his beloved island and re united with his wife and family. His physical condition had deteriorated during the war years and he sought medical treatment in California. He was diagnosed with cancer and thus began what had been hoped to be an effectively treatment. While undergoing treatment he extended his business across the Pacific Ocean and established Pacific Islands Trading Company. The island was in need of rebuilding materials and supplies hard to obtain under Naval Administration Rule. Pacific Islands Trading supplied those needs.

Chester Butler lost his battle with cancer and died on Valentines Day 1952. Ignacia was to continue the business along with their son James B. Butler

Butlers remained in the forefront of business on Guam well into the 1960's. However under considerable strain of running the business and family considerations Ignacia choose to downsize. Several major distributorships were retired including Coca Cola. This offered opportunity to families wishing to increase their own businesses on Guam. Butlers continued on. Proud of the legacy it had established. The store continued to be the mainstay for island residents looking for hard to find items and honest values for their hard earned money.

In 1987 Ignacia retired at the age of 83 and entrusted the business to her grandson Gerard Champion of California.

Butlers remains the oldest continuing business on Guam. Having been recognized by island leaders and community organizations as a historic achievement and unprecedented commitment to the continued economic growth of Guam.

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• Butler's represents a splendid Guam tradition

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Under the direction of Grandson Gerard Champion Manila Bay Traders was added to the Butlers heritage and continues today offering the finest in home decors baskets and furniture. Gerard personally travels to the Philippines to select the most unique items to bring to Guam.

Butler's is not the largest business anymore. That honor having been replaced with national chains and malls however the store remains committed to the ideals of two simple people who established a legacy of honesty and fairness to customers that remains the foundation of our family.

Thank you to the people of Guam for the honor of being a part of our island paradise.