© Tammie Chada

Bill E. Butler

© Shurden Funeral Home

Mon. Feb. 24, 2008

Submitted by: Becky Rodgers

Bill E. Butler
June 26, 1919 - Feb. 22, 2008
Services: Mon. Feb. 24, 2008

Bill E. Butler was born on June 26, 1919 in Henryetta, Oklahoma to Frank Butler and Tava Lou (Haggerman) Butler. On February 22, 2008, Jesus Christ called his faithful servant home.

Bill lived all of his life in Henryetta. At the age of twelve, Bill was saved and became a dedicated member of the First Christian Church. For 76 years, Bill was a devoted Christian serving in almost every capacity of the church leaving much of his hand work behind for others to enjoy. In June 2006 the First Christina Church in Henryetta paid tribute to his unfaltering love for the Lord by honoring him with the prestigious title of Elder Emeritus.

Behind Bill’s love for his Lord and his family came his love of music. Bill was a talented clarinet player, which was obvious when as a sixth grader he was rewarded the privilege of playing in a mass concert band in Tulsa, Oklahoma under the direction of John Phillip Sousa.

Upon graduation from Henryetta High School in 1938, Bill joined the U.S. Army, serving with the 45th Division where he spent most of his 4 ½ years of service overseas and where he won several distinguished metals. He was active in the Army Band and played with the Band on several dynamic occasions. Although Bill felt privileged to have performed with such USO celebrities as Jack Benny, Joe E. Brown, Marlene Dietrich, and Bob Hope, one of these spectacular events came when the huge band played in acknowledgement of the Queen of the Netherlands. However, the highest and most prodigious point of Bill’s military life was when he played the military band in the ceremonies at Munich, German, when the Germans’ Southern Armies surrendered.

Bill was a good and loving Christian man that knew what it meant to put in a hard day’s work. He was a dependable employee of the U.S. Postal System for 26 ½ years during which time he walked approximately 65,000 miles. Bad weather and bad dogs could not prevent him from delivering the mail. He even completed his route after being shot by a young person whose parents had bought him a gun and then left him at home alone with it…to shoot the mailman.

As Bill worshipped and worked in Henryetta, he continued to support his love of music by serving in the Band Parents’ Club for twenty years. He received plaques for his loyal commitment and had the distinct pleasure of traveling with the band to Washington, D.C. for the inauguration of John F. Kennedy. Bill also accompanied the band to the dedication of the Eufaula Dam with L.B. Jackson. For years, he gave private music lessons. Bill repaired band instruments for a local music store in Henryetta well past his 88th birthday.

Bill worked hard, and he played hard. Few men have ever loved the game of golf more than he did. Bill was an avid and an outstanding golfer, winning several tournaments as he played on as many Oklahoma golf courses as possible. His bigg3est thrill was when Ricky Dale and the guys flew to Las Vegas for a week playing on a different course each day. Bill has 5 holes in one to his credit. At one tournament, Troy Aikman was fortunate enough to have his picture taken with Bill. To all of his golfing buddies he leaves these words behind….When your on the links keep warm and stay cool.

His wife Aleene, of 40 years, his parents and three brothers preceded Bill in death. Pat his wife and best friend of 24 years and his 2 sons: Gene Butler and his wife Kaye, of Oklahoma City, and Billy Butler and his wife, Marilyn, of Lufkin, Texas survive Bill. Bill is also survived by the children he inherited from Pat: Sharon Tidwell and her husband, Ricky Joe, of Council Hill, Oklahoma and Rick Bogard and his wife, Connie, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. And the extended family of Lannie and Sheree McDaniel. Bill leaves behind ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Bill was a loving man and a loved man. Although we will miss him terribly, we know Heaven is a happier place since he arrived and the music he is listening to now is sweeter than any he ever heard on earth. The joy he brought to our lives will live on until we meet him in Glory some sweet day.

Pallbearers will be T.J. Tidwell, Lannie McDaniels, Rodney Key, Frank Koch, Bozie Files, & George Tipton. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Tim Williams, Dr. Troy Garrett, John Milsap & Marvin Glenn

Bill’s Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, February 24, 2008 at the First Christian Church 5th & Cummings in Henryetta. Interment will follow in Westlawn Cemetery. Services are under direction of Shurden Funeral Home.

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