William Leroy Butts
February 27, 2014
William Leroy Butts, 59, passed away February 27, 2014 in Des Moines. He was born August 1, 1954 in Des Moines to Emma and Emmett Butts. He proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps and the Army Reserves.
William was an avid Minnesota Vikings fan and will be remembered for his love of cooking, fishing, bowling, and spending time with his family.
He will be truly missed by his wife, Linda Butts; daughter, TaMickia Vaughan; grandson, Le-Roy Banks; brother, Alfred (Jennifer) Butts; sister, Barbara Johnson; mother-in-law, Shirley Talbert; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Truman, Sharon, Darlene Caldwell, and Robert.
William’s family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the nurses and staff at Methodist Hospital, Powell 3rd Floor for their wonderful and devoted care of William.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the John Stoddard Cancer Center in loving memory of William.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Courtney Strable
03/01/2014
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Billy was such a kind and gentle soul. He always brightened my day with his smile and witty sense of humor. He will always be missed at the Wellmak market where he was known and liked by so many. May he rest in peace.
Stephanie Greene-Jewett
03/01/2014
Linda my prayers are for you and your family. God will carry you though. Billy will suffer no more. Keep your faith and ride the storm God is with you.
Marlena Remington
03/01/2014
For all of us who had the pleasure of seeing Billy day in and day out he always brought a smile to our faces. No matter how rough of a day you would be having you could always count on him to make you laugh and turn your day around. He was a
giant of a man with a heart just as big. We will be so much richer for having known him. He is now pain free and smiling down on everyone whom he touched with his contagious smile and laughter. God Bless you and prayers going out for his family. He was a special man here on earth and he is now a special angel.he will be missed by many.
Elaine Evans
03/01/2014
I will forever remember Billy's laugh and kind words. I would walk past the Wellmark BCBS Cafe every morning and say, "Good morning Billy" He'd always smile and say How are you?. I remember one time I went into the Cafe and was looking for the giant chocolate chip ice cream cookies...couldn't find them. In a panic, I said, Billy are the cookies all gone?? I'm having a bad day and need a treat. He laughed and said, "No ma'am, I have them right here for you, just didn't have them out of the boxes yet." He was one of a kind, a real genuine guy. I always enjoyed talking to him and would sometimes go to the Cafe just to see him as he always seemed to make my day brighter. When I didn't see him at work anymore it felt like a piece of my routine, in my day was missing. No longer being able to say good morning to Billy or to see him smile and say hello back. I knew the last time I seen Billy he was in pain but he kept working and was so strong. I will truly miss Billy and my deepest sympathies to your family.
Thomas V Robinson "Bear"
03/01/2014
Billy you were always a laugh and a joy to be around God has a place for you and I will always have a special place in my heart for you also. Peace and love to your family.
Brock Hager
03/01/2014
I would stop by the Wellmark BCBS cafe for ice cream on various afternoons and Billy was always in a good mood. He always seemed happy and smiling and up for a conversation or a laugh. He had such a loud laugh people would be walking by and smile. I was impressed that he seemed to be in pain the way he was walking but i never really heard him complain. He would just suck it up and still be in a good mood somehow. True Good Guy Billy. A couple times he had to clean out the ice cream machine and he would give away some of the ice cream. I don't know if he was supposed to or not, but he knew it was something I liked. Everyone who would visit the Market there knew who Billy was. I joked with him once that I had a million dollars buried in my backyard (as a joke) and I kind of forgot I had said that. Later on when I would stop in there he would keep asking me about it and then laugh with his big laugh. He was good at remembering stuff like that and he would remember people and their stories and jokes. He made that short break in the afternoon a little more enjoyable. I liked talking to him and seeing him. I would even say hi as I walked by even if I wasn't going in and he would always pause what he was currently doing and shout me HELLO! He will be missed greatly.
Barbara Straley
03/01/2014
I am so sorry to hear of Billy's passing. I knew Billy from working at Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shileld where he worked in the market there. There was about four of us that would take our break in the market and enjoy an ice cream cone that Billy would make for us and talk and laugh and sometimes sing. I am so glad he was in our lives if only for a short time. He will be deeply missed. Rest in peace Billy, Barb, Linda Alice will never eat another ice cream cone without thinking of you.
Pamela Thomas
03/01/2014
Sending God's comfort and peace to Billy's family. I am so sorry for your loss. Billy fought the good fight and he has received his reward of rest and peace in the arms of God.
Craig Farley Sr
03/01/2014
My thoughts and prayers are with Linda and the entire Butts family at the passing of Billy. I send my condolences and love. may he rest in peace.
Alfred&Sandra Hackney Lexington, Mo.
03/01/2014
Thoughts and prayers go out to the Butts family I'd heard Billy was sick lost touch when I moved out of town. Remember playing Basketball with him at Amos Hiatt Recreation and playing with him for The Boys Club and Roadside Settlement. RIP old friend you'll be missed!!
Lennie Overton
02/28/2014
I haven't seen Bill for a long time but thought about him often. He was a special person. My heart goes out to Linda and the rest of the family.