Billy V. Butler

Billy V. Butler was born October 28, 1925, to circuit preacher N.D. and Evelyn M. Butler at Octavia, OK.   He died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, June 8, 2012, at his home in Panama.

Viewing will be Tuesday, June 12, 6-8 pm at Evans Funeral Home in Poteau, and graveside services will be Wednesday at 10 am at Oakland Cemetery in Poteau, Southside Baptist  Pastor Monty Thompson officiating.

 Bill earned an associate’s degree from Poteau Community College. He was a 32^nd Degree Mason through the Scottish Rite Temple in McAlester, and a past Worshipful Master at his Cameron lodge.  He was a WWII veteran.

  In 1947, Bill married Wynema Ward, daughter of Ed & Ocie Ward, of Poteau.  Wynema said he taught her to cook and she taught him to dance.  The couple had four children.

  Bill worked hard all his life.  As a child growing up in Gilmore, he chopped cotton and farmed.  He mined underground for coal in Oklahoma and Wyoming, uranium in Colorado and New Mexico, copper in Arizona, and steel in California.  He was an electrician and explosives expert in the mines.

 He worked in Air Force railyards in Arizona, drove a taxi in Kansas, farmed in Missouri, and owned and operated a service station in Wister, and a café in New Mexico.  He managed American Legion and VFW clubs in California and Oklahoma.  He drove 18-wheelers cross-country and transported veterans by van to VA medical centers.  

Bill was  preceded in death by his parents & siblings. He is survived by his children and their spouses: Floyd and Susie Butler, Shady Point; Kathlyn Moran, Wister; David and Jane Butler, Poteau, and Lisa Langston, Panama, and by his children’s mother, Wynema Butler Francis, Shady Point. 

Blessed with five living generations, Bill also leaves behind three granddaughters and seven grandsons and their spouses, many great granddaughters and great grandsons and their spouses, two great great granddaughters, one great great grandson, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Honorary pallbearers include his grandsons:  Michael Furr, David William Butler, Ricky Butler, Daniel Butler, Jerry Butler, David Loyd Butler Jr., and Jason Priest,

Bill’s wisdom, wit, laughter, love, strength, generosity, and courageous spirit, will forever be remembered and greatly missed, but he knew that it was time for him to rest, and as he put it, to wait on the Lord.