Joseph Butler

May 26, 1934 – November 17, 2019

Joseph Aloysius Butler, also known as Joe, was born May 26, 1934 in Washington, DC’s Parkside neighborhood to the late Ernest Sylvester Butler and Annie Cecilia Hicks. He was preceded in home-going by his wife, Mamie Butler, who went on to be with the Lord on October 25, 2002.

Joe was a man of principle and conviction. He was quick witted and did not hesitate to make his position known with a very long and descriptive basis. Regardless of whether he had consensus, comic relief was guaranteed, and mutual respect was never forsaken.

Joe worked at the U.S. Airmen’s and Soldiers Home in Washington, DC for 36 years. He began his career at the rehabilitation center for veteran soldiers as a janitor and progressed to become a physical therapist assistant. His gift of rapport with people served him well in this capacity, as he was able to connect with soldiers of all backgrounds, with varying degrees of infirmary. He often forged through racial epithets hurled at him by his charges to provide them with exemplary care. Many patients stricken with depression due to their condition, as well as those who were told that they would never be able to ambulate and/or regain the use of their limbs, realized the return of all such faculties under the rehabilitative care of Joe. His care of his patients was illustrative of the Bible Scripture, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, as he took great joy and satisfaction in his service to them…he cheerfully gave of his talent to care for and physically restore them. Through his strength of character in the execution of his service to his patients, Joe was able to change many of their negative attitudes, as well as those of his colleagues.

Concurrent to his duties as a physical therapist assistant, and following his retirement from same, Joe served as a DC cab driver for nearly 60 years. He continued to serve the residents of the U.S. Airmen’s and Soldiers Home by transporting them and their families to various places along the east coast, catering to their unique needs. He earned their trust through his work ethic as their physical therapist and they specifically requested his transportation services. Joe relished opportunities to interact with his passengers from various walks of life. He engaged them in conversation, listening to their concerns, ambitions, and even their fears and offered them sage advice and encouragement.

Joe was an avid golfer, a hobby he embraced in his early 40s and pursued with vigor into his 80s. He was one of the principal founders of the Metro Duffers Golf Club established in the DMV in the 1970s. They organized and played in golf tournaments all over the DMV, as well as other areas, such as South Carolina and North Carolina. Subsequent members of the Metro Duffers fostered and maintained the founders’ vision of family, competition, fun and camaraderie through the sport of golf. The Club served to solidify friendships, establish new ones and brought families together with many trips and social gatherings.

Despite his dearth of conventional institutional education, Joe possessed vast wisdom and “street sense”. He was very adept at discerning people and situations. His perseverance and mental discipline were valuable resources to navigate through his life’s journey.

Joseph Aloysius Butler was a loving husband, father, grandfather and mentor. He lived each day to the fullest and did his best to make a difference in the lives of all those whom he encountered. Joe is survived by a host of family, including: his children, Brenda Cobb, Kenneth Butler, Darlene Morgan, Marco Morgan, Kevin Butler, James Cobb (son-in-law), Connie Butler (daughter-in-law), Renee Richardson (daughter-in-law), Leia Butler (daughter-in-law); his grandchildren, Erik, Brittany and Kimberly Cobb, Loree and James Murray, Aaron and Artis Butler, Clarissa Escoe, Serena and Marcus Morgan, Bryce and Brock Butler; and his great grandchildren, Milora, Devin and Jaida Murray, Rashon, Reina, Aaron, Jr., Artis,Jr., Kierra and Zaria Butler, Jared, Dillon, Gavin, Chloe and Elaina Escoe, Anthony Berry, Jr. and Kaiya Walker. Joe joins his late siblings, Sylvester “Buster”, James, Catherine, Cecilia, Montrula and Francis Bernard Butler.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Joe’s family genuinely expresses sincere appreciation for the many comforting messages, prayers, phone calls and other expressions of sympathy, love and assistance during their time of bereavement. May God continue to bless each of you.