Stephen Austin Butler
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Visitation Schedule
Balboa Baptist Church
415 Ponce de Leon Dr.
Hot Springs Village, AR  71909
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
Balboa Baptist Church
415 Ponce de Leon Dr.
Hot Springs Village, AR  71909
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
11:00 A.M.
I served in the Air Force.
Stephen Austin ButlerI am a Veteran.

of Hot Springs Village, AR

March 23, 2018

Stephen Austin Butler, 65 of Hot Springs Village passed away March 23, 2018. He was born December 9, 1952 in Freeport, Texas to Robert Austin and Marian Lawanda (Jinks) Butler. He was preceded in death by his father.

Stephen received his Bachelor of Science Degree in History and Political Science from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway where he met and married his wife, Barbara Kay, of 43 years. He received his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Tx. He also served as Senior Pastor for 37 years at churches in Arkansas, Texas, Missouri and Cambridgeshire, England. While pastoring in Texas and serving on the Language Missions Committee, he hosted and ministered to a Laotian Mission. While pastoring in Arkansas, he was actively involved with the European Baptist Convention Partnership for 7 years leading mission trips to Germany, Italy, as well as other countries abroad. He also served as Moderator of the Central Baptist Association in Arkansas and as Moderator of Spring River Association while pastoring in Missouri. Steve and his wife, Barbara were called to Balboa Baptist in April, 2006 from their previous ministry as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, Joplin, Missouri. He has served here for the past 12 years.
He was also a U.S. Air Force Veteran.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara; daughter Lori Michelle Johnson and husband, Kenny of McKinney, TX; son, Brian Butler and wife, Pasley Butler of Benton, AR; six grandchildren, Jakob Johnson, Brynn Johnson, Luke Johnson and Brooklyn Johnson of, McKinney, TX, and Isabel Butler and Parker Butler of Benton, AR; his mother, Marian Butler of Conway, AR, and many other relatives and friends.

A time of visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, March 28, 2018 from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at Balboa Baptist Church in Hot Springs Village.

A Memorial Service will be held following the visitation at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at Balboa Baptist Church in Hot Springs Village with Rev. Phillip Graves and Dr. Denny Wright officiating.

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13 Condolence(s)
Farrar Family
Joplin, MO
Liked
Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Steve was a great man, and loved by so many here in Joplin, and everywhere he went! He was a pastor so unforgettable and it was sad seeing him leave but God always had a calling and boy did Steve answer. He will be missed greatly! Love to the family ~Farrar Family

Kenny Johnson
Mckinney, TX
Liked
Thursday, March 29, 2018

Such a great father-in-law!
Loved this man completely.
Lori told me that when we started seriously dating, she came home from Dallas for a visit & told Steve that she had met a guy (that’s me) & said but you might need to know a few things before you meet him...
Steve said, “Let me guess, he’s divorced, has 5 kids, & is Muslim?”
Ha! Very funny, Stevie-B! Reality was that I was: divorced with ONLY 3 kids, & 1/2 Taiwanese :)
Joke was on you, Steve!
I love and miss you,
Kenny (His favorite son-in-law)

DW
Cordova, TN
Liked
Thursday, March 29, 2018

So sorry for your loss may you find peace and comfort in the words spoken at 2 Corinthians 1:3 & 4" Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our trials so that we may be able to comfort others in any sort of trial with the comfort that we receive from God

Renee (Brown) Thornhill
Texarkana, TX
Liked
Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Dear Mrs. Barbara and Family,
I was so saddened to hear of Bro. Steve's passing. He will always be the pastor of my teen years, and I learned so much from his teaching and preaching ministry at Highland Heights. He married Scott and I almost 23 years ago, and I can still remember his jokes and teasing to calm my frazzled nerves at the rehearsal and ceremony. He had a ready smile and servant spirit, and has left a living legacy everywhere he ministered. Your whole family is in our prayers, and we look forward to a heavenly reunion one day.

Melody McDaniel
Hot Springs, AR
Liked
Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Dear Barbara and Family,
Steve was a wonderful man of God. May God be with you during this time. Your family has always been special to me.

Love Always,
Melody McDaniel

Ross & Sandy Woodbury
Benton, AR
Liked
Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Dear Barbara and Family,

Sandy and I will always remember and be grateful for Steve. He was an invaluable source of support, wisdom, and good humor during our time at Balboa. His Wednesday night Old Testament surveys revealed his significant grasp of God's Word. Later on, we enjoyed seeing him at State Convention - sponsored events and catching up on life at Balboa.

We sure don't understand this. But Steve himself would give us counsel to keep trusting in the Lord with all our hearts.
Today, out hearts go out to yours ....
Ross & Sandy Woodbury

Jim and Karen Vickery
Hot Springs Village, AR
Liked
Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Judy Young
Benton, AR
Liked
Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Barbara, Brian, Lori & Family,
We are so sorry to hear about Steve. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God provide you with peace, strength & comfort during this time.

Robert, Judy & Sarah Young
Bryan & Tara Sheridan & family
Matt Sheridan

Charles and Linda Melton
Hot Springs Village, AR
Liked
Monday, March 26, 2018

Barbara,
I know that I share these feelings of loss with the Balboa Church Family. He was such a great guy, great teacher and had a "wicked" sense of humor!!!!! We are going to miss him so much. I remember when Charles and I would visit some of our friends in the various hospitals I don't believe that there was one visit in which we didn't run into Steve. His organizational skills were fantastic however I believe his gift was teaching and reaching out the church members in their time of need. While we were looking for a new minister Steve was a pillar of strength in the church. Goodbye dear friend...we will see you soon!!!

Linda K. Woolbright
Benton, AR
Liked
Sunday, March 25, 2018

Barbara, Lori, Brian and Family~
We are so very sad to learn of Steve’s passing.
You and your families are in our thoughts and prayers during this sad time. May your sweetest memories always be a comfort to you. God’s plan for each of us is beyond our understanding but knowing we will all be together again with our loved ones in our Heavenly Home is an assurance for us to claim.
Love and sympathy ~
John & Linda Woolbright

Linda P. Woodward
Hot Springs Village, AR
Liked
Sunday, March 25, 2018

We are so sorry hearing of Brother Steve's passing. We are out of town and will regrettably miss the service and visitation. He was so so faithful visiting John at UAMS when he had his surgeries. We will miss him and Barbara you and your family are in our prayers.

Debra Lindgren Shannon
Hot Springs, AR
Liked
Sunday, March 25, 2018

HUGS Barbara. I will remember Steve as the great TEACHER he was, so knowledgeable in so many areas; and the office comic he was always bringing a smile to faces! He taught me many things, and I am glad for the years I was able to work with him. He was a good husband, father, leader, friend. I can almost hear our Master saying, "Well done thou good and faithful servant."

Bobby and Ginger Bell
Lonsdale, AR
Liked
Sunday, March 25, 2018

A great man of God who humbly served his church family. We will miss his wit and love mixed in with his tremendous knowledge of God’s word. Rest In Peace Steve.