James “Bill” William Butler passed away Monday, June 29, 2026 in Shawnee, Oklahoma at the age of 84. He was born February 8, 1942 in Southwest City, Missouri to John Elisha Butler and Clair Mae (Fields) Butler. He married Sharon Ann Smith on May 26, 1962 in Grove, Oklahoma.

Bill attended and graduated from Grove Public Schools. He went on to play football and baseball at Northern Oklahoma College then transferred to Southwest Oklahoma State University where he had a successful stint football. He dedicated many years working in education, subsequently retiring as the Assistant State Superintendent for the State of Oklahoma.

Bill loved his wife Sharon, spending time with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and his best friend and partner in crime, Dwain Vice.

Many in Wewoka know Bill as he always showed up big…gregarious, outgoing and super social.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Sharon Butler; son, Bradley Dean Butler; brothers, Gene Butler, Elmo Butler, Gene McKillip; great granddaughter, Taylor Dawn Ramsey.

Bill is survived by his son, Lance Butler and Kiki Pierce and Butler his children, Lucy and Will Butler of Colorado; Granddaughter and her husband, Stephanie and Derek Ramsey and their children, Ty Ramsey and Trinity Ramsey, Riley Ramsey and Callie Ramsey of Wewoka; daughter in-law Connie Butler and granddaughter Stacy Butler of Wewoka.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at New Life Church in Wewoka, Oklahoma with Pastor Tommy Azlin officiating. Interment to follow at approximately 3:00 P.M. at Butler Cemetery in Jay, OK.

Pallbearers: Ty Ramsey, Riley Ramsey, Derek Ramsey, Will Butler, Vance Vice and Gary Calvert.

Arrangements by Stout-Phillips Funeral Home in Wewoka, Oklahoma.