O’Fallon, Missouri
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Tony Butler, 86, died Saturday, February 8th, 2025, in O’Fallon, Missouri, surrounded by his family & friends. Tony was born in Kansas City, MO in 1938, one of 11 children to Georgia Wilameta Butler and James Nelson Butler. Tony is survived by his siblings: Lloyd, Everett, Tommy, Mary & Jimmy.
Tony was a career infantry soldier who proudly served on active duty for 32+ years in the United States Army. Tony joined the Army on May 13th, 1956, at 17 years old after getting his GED. He served 7 years as an enlistee (E-1 to E-6), then was a graduate of OCS-Officers' Candidate School serving as an Infantry Officer for 25+ years. Tony’s overseas tours included Korea, Panama, 2 tours of Vietnam (MACV & the 173rd Airborne Brigade), England, Germany, and Türkiye (NATO- Headquarters, as a linguist for Turkish 4 Star General Gunerell).
Tony’s service awards included a Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge, Jungle Expert Badge, Legion of Merit Medal, Bronze Star Medal (3rd award), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (3rd award), Army Commendation Medal(2nd award), Good Conduct Medal (3rd award), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal (6 award), Korean Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Vietnamese Civil Action Meritorious Ribbon, Vietnamese Staff Honor Ribbon, Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm, & 5 Overseas Bars. Tony’s Military Education included NCO School (Korea), Infantry OCS & Airborne School, CBR School, Drill Sergeant School, Defense Language Institute (Vietnamese & Turkish), MADA Course, Infantry Officers Course, Air Command & Staff College, Industrial College of Armed Forces Course, Armed Forces Staff College. Tony completed his civilian education with a BS in History & a Masters Degree in Special Education which he used for 10 years as a Special Education teacher.
In life Tony put God first, then his family and country. He was a loving, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was a leader and always put his soldiers first. As a retiree, he enjoyed his church and church family, golf, gardening, and watching the grandkids sports (Hunter-golf, Bryce-baseball, and Addison-volleyball). Tony always did his best & lived by his word/bond. He loved his friends, his participation in the 173rd Airborne Brigade Chapter, his church & various Masonic organizations. Tony’s honesty & integrity were above reproach. He gave much and expected little in return.
Tony is preceded in death by his two children, Donna York & Daniel Butler; both parents, James Nelson & Georgia Butler; sisters, Jodi Mortensen, Rachel Gross & Carol Luteran; as well as brother Johnnie Butler. He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Barbara; two sons, Tony Butler, Jr. & John Butler (Susan); and 6 grandchildren, Daniel’s kids: Brittany, Brooke & Brent as well as John’s kids: Hunter, Bryce & Addison Rylee.
Tony’s family wants to express their heartfelt appreciation to their church family & friends, as well all the VA caregivers, and everyone at Delmar Villas & Delmar Gardens in O’Fallon, Missouri. Funeral Services will be in their hometown of Phenix City, Alabama on Friday, February 14th at 11:00 AM EST at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery, 553 AL-165, Fort Mitchell, Alabama 36856.
In lieu of flowers, Tony asked that any contributions be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation for Military Veterans & First Responders & their families. https://www.t2t.org .
