of Wynne, AR
February 21, 1944 - November 29, 2020
John Willie ''J. W.'' Butler, 76, died on Sunday, November 29, 2020, at his home in Wynne, Arkansas. J. W. was born in Dyess, Arkansas, on February 21, 1944, to the late Leo and Maggie Lou Butler. He grew up in a hardworking family in the Hughes and Shell Lake communities.
J. W. was drafted and served in the U. S. Army where he and his family were stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, during the Vietnam era. He hauled equipment before settling in as an over the road truck driver. He worked for Thurston, Brown, SAIA and finished his trucking career with Averitt Express, retiring after 20 years as a team driver with his wife, Mary Alice. During those years he never met a stranger and made many friends on their dedicated run from Jackson, Tennessee, Illinois, and Texas.
J. W. married Mary Alice Benjamin on April 16, 1965. They raised five children, Clayton, John, Angela, Tim, and Jason. His favorite job in later years was being ''Peepaw''. His lap, scooter, and golf cart were always filled with grandbabies and great grandbabies. He and his golf cart visited just about every neighbor in the community of Wittsburg and was jokingly called the ''unofficial mayor of Wittsburg.'' He loved to travel to Branson, wait in line at the school for all his grandbabies, and loved to fly fish when he could. He enjoyed teaching his boys how to fly fish. His love for fishing led him to partner with his sons in 1998 in No. 1 Bait and Tackle and Murkey Water Wholesale Company. He also was invested in Butler Wrecker and Towing. J. W. was a family man and was the best at his jobs of husband, father, peepaw, and father-in-law.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary Alice Butler of the home, children, Clayton Billings and wife Audra of Alaska, John Butler and wife Renee', Angela Bratton and husband Garrie, Tim Butler and wife Kaye, and Jason Butler all of Wynne, 12 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, sister, Mary Cupples of West Memphis, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Maggie Butler, great grandchild, Mason Henry Allen Bratton, sister, Kathy Poole, brother, Wayne Butler and nephew, Kenny Poole.
Memorials may be made to St.Jude Children's Research Hospital PO Box 1893 Memphis, TN 38101-9950, online at www.stjude.org or Harris Chapel Cemetery, P. O. Box 586, Wynne, Arkansas 72396.
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16 Condolence(s)
Carolyn Y Poole
Thursday, December 10, 2020
I am so sorry for your loss and I pray for peace and comfort during this most difficult time. Thank you so much for mentioning Kenny Poole in JW's obituary. Kenny spoke highly of his Uncle JW and I just wished I could have met him. May the Lord Bless and Keep you in His Loving Arms.
Kelly Lancaster
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
I am so sorry for your great loss!
Just remember, As long as you live, he will live on through you!
Cindy Overstreet (Benjamin)
Sunday, December 6, 2020
I'm so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. We live you all!
william roeder
Saturday, December 5, 2020
Mrs. Butler and family
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time—our deepest condolences.
Billy and Carrie
Betty Emerson
Friday, December 4, 2020
Mary Alice and family, may God comfort you in the days to come. I always enjoyed visiting with J. W. when we would meet to drop Alyssa off. He sure enjoyed all his special grands and great grands and also my grands. I will miss visiting with him. God bless your family.
Jason Johnston Family
Thursday, December 3, 2020
Jason and Tim and family you are in our prayers. We know how much you love your daddy. May the God of comfort and peace be upon all of you.
Stella Foreman
Thursday, December 3, 2020
I am so very sorry for your loss. May God bless you all at this very sad time. We love you all. Your Lawrence family
Mary Mays
Thursday, December 3, 2020
So sorry for your loss prayers for you all May God be with each of you in his never ending love and comfort each of you in his special way
Dianna & Gaylan Hutcherson
Thursday, December 3, 2020
We were so sorry to hear of his passing. Keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Kenny & Mary Blansett
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
We are sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
God Bless
Bonnie Cordell
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
Mary Alice I am so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. ðŸ™ðŸ»ðŸ™ðŸ»
Amy Shaver (Benjamin)
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
I am so sorry for your loss. Holding you close in my thoughts and hoping you are doing OK.
Dewayne Neal
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Sorry for your y'all lost
Alice Bennett
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Thoughts and prayers are with all the family during this difficult time.
Thankful for the privilege of knowing some of Mr Butlers family —Jason ,Ben and Kaye. My heart breaks for y’all. There will be a big reunion day soon! Love and hugs, Alice Bennett
John Cunningham
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Mr Butler was a wonderful friend, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
Mary Margaret butler, Navaeh Brielle butler, savanna Robyn barker
Sunday, November 29, 2020
We love you so much Pepaw, and we will miss you so much, me and the girls will always love you so dearly. And we will see you again one day. I am so glad you are at peace and no longer in pain. You meant a lot to us all, and rest easy Pepaw, you will forever and always be in our hearts💚