Rawls, Jr. Coach Ray “Butch” Wesley Rawls Jr. passed away June 11, 2026 at his home in Holdenville, Oklahoma at the age of 71.

Butch was born August 27th, 1954 in Shawnee, Oklahoma to Ray Wesley Rawls Sr. and Lena Dora (Richardson) Rawls. Butch graduated from Lamont High School in 1972. He attended Northwestern State College in Alva, Oklahoma and graduated in 1976. He received his Master’s degree. He coached at Northwestern for 4 years before moving to Holdenville in 1980, where he accepted a coaching and teaching position. He climbed the ladder and ultimately became the Head Coach of the Holdenville Wolverines, leading them for several successful seasons. He coached at Holdenville for over 40 years. Butch married the love of his life, Sherry Denise Mosley, on June 15, 1982, in Holdenville at Barnard Memorial United Methodist Church. He enjoyed his community involvement as a member of the Lions Club and Kiwanis, and served in various capacities in the OFBCA and OPCA, including as President. Butch was a long-time member of the Barnard Memorial United Methodist Church. He loved Holdenville Wolverine Football (well all football), the OU Sooners, the Dallas Cowboys, fishing, and hanging out at the lake with family, drinking a cold Coors Light.

Butch had many treasured accomplishments spanning his coaching career. He won many playoff games and numerous state and national powerlifting titles. He had the honor and privilege of coaching several post-season all-state football games across the state, including the Shriners Oil Bowl. He is the winningest football coach in Holdenville history. Among his peers, he is known as the “Godfather” of Oklahoma Powerlifting. In 2012, Holdenville High School honored him by naming the weight room “Butch Rawls Weight Facility”. In 2019, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Powerlifting Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Coach Rawls loved every single student/ player that he had the joy of teaching/coaching over his 40-year tenure. His love for coaching the game was contagious. His infectious smile, pure kindness, and sincere love will live on.

Butch is preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Lena Rawls, wife Sherry Rawls, sister Darla Rogers, brotherin- law Dock Rogers, and brother-in-law Ralph Morrison. He is survived by his sister, Gina Morrison of Seminole, children, Curt Rawls and husband Zack Courtney of Edmond, Matt Walters and wife Becca of Fairview, Ali Epley and husband Millard of Ada, grandchildren, Jasper and Ray Walters and niece Amber Morrison of OKC. Butch is survived by numerous other family members and friends.

Pallbearers are Andrew Alexander, Daniel Alexander, Trent Miller, Randy McKenzie, Kenny Linker, Eric Crenshaw, Ryan Turner, and Derek McElroy. Honorary pallbearers are James Alexander, Dave Carter, Donnie Morrison, Paul Pulchny, and Mike Patterson.

The family requests that you wear Holdenville Wolverine or OU sports attire.

Family will greet guests from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, June 14th, 2026, at Hudson-Phillips Funeral Home. Regular viewing will be 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 15, 2026, at Hudson- Phillips Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at Holdenville Football Stadium, with Pastor Dane Robinson officiating and Rook Rawls and Ronnie Hunter speaking.

Interment will follow at Holdenville Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of Hudson-Phillips Funeral Home.