William Butler Obituary

Description: William Butler Obituary...Our Heartfelt Condolences To His Loved Ones...

William Butler

August 2, 1944 - October 4, 2021

Obituary

William John “Bill” Butler was born August 2, 1944 to Walter Melvin and Anna Margaret Butler in La Junta, CO.  He passed on October 4, 2021 at the age of 77 years old.

Bill attended Rocky Ford High School, graduating with the Class of 1962.

Bill attended Otero Jr. College and then enlisted in the Colorado National Guard, Company C-First Batallion-3rdBrigade in December of 1965.

He married Deborah Ann Henrie on April 1, 1967.

Bill is survived by his wife, Deborah of the family home; Children: Lance (Jennifer) Butler of Swink, Stacey (Cris Menz) Milenski of Rocky Ford; Brian (Sherri Austin) Butler of Pueblo; and Lindsey (Michael) Bates of Manzanola.  10 Grandchildren including:  Haley (Nate Melgosa) Butler, Kiefer Butler, Savannah and Amber Rose Butler, Kori (Curtis) Johnson, Brayden and Kaitlyn Butler, Cooper Harper, Jackson and Wyatt Bates and four (4) Great grandchildren: Asa and Taos Melgosa and Hunter and Luke Johnson.  Sister, Melva Butler of Grand Junction and and Sister-In-Law, LaWana Coulter Dickey of Thermopolis, WY.

Bill was an insurance agent with Van Dyk Insurance, specializing in crop hail with Colorado Rain and Hail Insurance.  He was a life time member of the Rocky Ford Elks, Rocky Ford Rotary Club and the Community Presbyterian Church in Rocky Ford.  Bill published a book called “Raising the Roof” as a fundraiser to assist with repairing the damaged stained-glass dome at the Community Presbyterian Church.  His short stories and poems reflected the friendship and memorial stories of friends, fellowship and humorous antidotes from his associations with his community and church.

Bill also published a poem entitled “Kelly’s Barn”, a story about one of his friends and valued insured farmers, winning a blue ribbon at the Arkansas Valley Fair.

Bill was a devoted and loving husband, father, and friend.  Bill and his long time high school friend, Glen Clifford teamed up to write for the Rocky Ford Daily Gazette, covering Fowler Grizzlies sports.  He affectionately wrote in support of his grandsons, Jackson and Wyatt Bates.

Bill was passionate about his faith, singing in the church choir at the Community Presbyterian Church and serving on the Sessions Board.

He had a deep love for his classmates of 1962, attending and assisting with planning many reunions.  His classmate and dear personal friends Gene and Sandy Coffelt actually did all the work.  Bill was known to attend any reunion he could as he valued so many high school friends from all classes.

Bill will be remembered most by his daily ritual of meeting his coffee friends at Christine’s.   Never knowing a stranger, he talked and joked with most everyone who came through the door.  One of his treasured friends said, “I will remember him as the funniest guy at the table.”

A life time member of the Rocky Ford Elks Club, Bill would also stop to visit with his friends, enjoying a beer, sharing laughter and good times.

Bill was a dedicated and proud father.  He followed his children through their high school year.  Lance and Brian each excelling in football and wrestling and Stacey and Lindsey each excelling in volleyball and basketball.  His greatest reward was following their children as he attended school events, graduations and milestones of both his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bill had love and fond remembrance for his very special childhood and life-long friends, Darrel French and Art Chamber, which are now deceased.  His classmates, all of which held a special bond in his heart , were the topic of each conversation with Kenny Eckhart, Sandy (Harwood) Coffelt and Glen Clifford.  Bill always wanted to know what was going on with his friends.

As a young man, Bill worked for his father, Walt, in the family business Butler Wholesale Meats, working out of Stauffer Meat Packing Plant.  Bill and his father bowled semi-professionally, winning a title in Doubles at the Oklahoma State Tournament in 1968.  Bill also helped his parents with their family restaurant, The Pizza A Go-Go at the old Farmer’s Market in Rocky Ford.

Bill then went on to Templeton Bush Implements as the Parts Manager.  He was also a salesman for Keebler Cookies and then on to his final and continued career as an insurance agent.  Bill was a National Leader in the Life Insurance Business for the Colorado Farm Bureau and spent the rest of his insurance career with Van Dyk Insurance focusing on crop hail iInsurance until his passing.

Bill’s devotion to his profession and the farmers he proudly served was his trademark.  He truly lived, loved and valued each and every farmer and their perils they encountered.  His lifelong friendships with his farm families was one of his greatest accomplishments.

Bill and his wife Deborah celebrated 54 years of marriage and blessings.  He leaves the warmest and deepest loving memories for all to share and remember him by.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 22, 2021 at 11:00 AM in the Community Presbyterian Church, Rocky Ford, CO, with Rev. Steve Culver officiating. Inurnment of his cremations will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Rocky Ford, CO.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ford - Ustick Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to www.fordustick.com.

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