John Waller Butler was born on March 3, 1941, in Fayette, Alabama, to Marie Butler and Joe Neal Butler. John’s father passed away from a brain tumor when John was still a preteen, leaving his mother to raise him and his siblings, Jane and Joe Neal Jr. “Sonny,” on her own.

From an early age, John understood the meaning of hard work and responsibility. His mother opened a Tasty Freeze ice cream store, and John worked there alongside her to help support their family. That work ethic stayed with him throughout his entire life. John rarely took a day off, believed strongly in taking care of yourself, and lived by the philosophy of “pay yourself first.” He was exceptionally frugal and believed in working hard, saving his money, and not spending unnecessarily. He took great pride in being self-sufficient and providing for himself and his family.

As a young man, John served briefly as an officer in the United States Navy during the Vietnam era. His service took him aboard a submarine and even to the Arctic Circle - experiences that became a unique part of his life story.

After leaving the Navy, John built a long career in construction. He worked for Harbert Construction until a company restructuring led to his layoff. Rather than letting that setback define him, John did what came naturally: he went to work. He became a builder and continued working hard for many years.

John’s frugality and determination were evident in some of the simplest things. He drove the same yellow Ford pickup truck for nearly three decades. During those years, he changed the engine not once, but three times. Eventually, the truck had been driven so long that the floorboard actually rusted away, leaving a hole where you could see the ground underneath. Most people would have considered that the end of the road for the truck. Not John. He simply put a piece of plywood over the floorboard to keep himself from getting hurt and kept driving it. That yellow Ford became almost as much a part of John as his stubborn independence and practical nature.

John experienced both great love and great loss throughout his life. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ethel Butler, with whom he shared 30 years of marriage, and his second wife, Lynette Butler. He was also preceded in death by his son, Trevor Butler, and his brother, Joe Neal Butler Jr. “Sonny.”

Later in life, John and Ethel found their way back into each other’s lives and reconciled while living at The Blake at Baxter Village. It was a meaningful and unexpected chapter in John’s life.

John was a man who appreciated the simple things in life. He loved ham radio, Alabama football, Hardee’s gravy biscuits, Domino’s Everything pizzas, the peace and quiet of the country, and the music of Ray Charles. He enjoyed doing things his own way and was perfectly content with a quiet day, good food, and the things he loved.

Those who knew John will remember him as a hardworking, independent, practical, and frugal man who valued his privacy and believed in taking care of himself. He wasn't one to waste money, replace something simply because it was old, or quit when something could still be fixed.

He believed in getting as much life as possible out of the things he owned—and he certainly got his money’s worth out of that yellow Ford.

Above all, John loved the Lord Jesus Christ and held onto his faith throughout his life. His family finds comfort in knowing that he is now at peace and has been reunited with his beloved son, Trevor, in Heaven.

John was cremated, and his final resting place will ultimately be on his daughter’s property, where he will remain close to his family and the land he loved.

John is survived by his sister, Jane McKinney, and his grandchildren, Britany Beasley, Chris Butler, Jacob May, Ethan May, and Avery May, who will carry his memory forward.

Remembrance Gathering

A Remembrance Gathering will be held at the May household on Sunday October 18 at 11:30 a.m. Friends and family are welcome to join together to celebrate John’s life and share memories of the man they knew and loved.

In keeping with John’s love of simple pleasures, some of his favorite foods will be served, and a tree will be planted in his name as a living memorial to his life and the legacy he leaves behind.

John lived life on his own terms. He worked hard, saved his money, fixed what could be fixed, kept going when life was difficult, loved the Lord, and found happiness in the simple things. He leaves behind a family who will remember not only the life he lived, but all the little things that made him uniquely John.

May he rest in peace, and may he rejoice in being home with his Lord and reunited with Trevor