A graveside service will be held to celebrate the life of Warren Louis Butler at 10:00 A.M. with full military honors on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at Hill Crest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at 9:30 A.M. until service time in the stateroom.
Warren was born in Foreman, AR on August 10, 1927 and passed away surrounded by family on July 22, 2022. He was a man that lived an astounding yet simple life. He was the only child of ten to earn a college degree. Additionally, he was a military veteran, serving in four branches: Navy, Army Air Corp, Arkansas National Guard and finally the Air Force, reaching the rank of Captain. His military training and lifestyle emphasized his devotion to his country, his belief that all citizens’ duty was to serve, and his enduring desire to protect his family. In that same vein, Warren continued to work in service of others by going on to work for the Federal Government, the Internal Revenue Service. However, his career in accounting did not change his humble roots. He was raised on a farm, and he dedicated his life to conserving and facilitating the love of nature in those closest to him by owning his own cattle and tree farms. Tragically, Warren lost his youngest daughter at the tender age of 16 in a car accident, so true to his nature, he said nothing, asked for nothing and turned his grief into a mission of service - he built a nature and historical park in her honor. Later in life, he thoroughly enjoyed traveling to Colorado to visit his oldest daughter Karla and her husband Steve to relish in the beauty of the Rockies. Additionally, the holidays at his daughter Regina’s was one of his favorites; he loved to sit around the dining room table with his grandchildren as well as watch them excitedly open the gift he had spent the night before putting together.
His favorite thing was to hear his grandchildren and great-grandchildren call him “Pappaw.” He loved his family with an unfounded tenacity that was seen on a daily basis through his unmatched dedication to do what he could to help them succeed in life. He was a very active grandfather, and he put many miles on his truck taking his grandkids to soccer games and practices. During those treks, he would fondly reminisce about his childhood days, beginning each new tale with “Incidentally, when I was…,” and those tales have and will serve as parables for his family to always cherish.
Warren was preceded in death by his two daughters, Sabrina Butler and Karla Bodaness, parents Roy and Betty Butler and nine siblings. Warren is survived by his daughter, Regina McMillian, his late daughter’s husband, Steve Bodaness, grandchildren Kylene Nash-Blasingame (Travis), Desire Fertitta (Michael), and Jonathan McMillian (Maggie); great grandchildren, Sean, Karlie, Isaiah, Henry, Liam, Sam, Sicily, Max, Crew and Mae; As well as several nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Although there is a huge piece of our hearts missing, we are so thankful for Pappaw’s love and guidance and his life well lived.
