Amos and Esther Taj from TN send our condolences to Nancy, Don, Louise, and Betty. Jim always stood tall in his community as a real patriot. We always looked forward to visiting with him when we were near.  Talked a lot about our English grandmother who came to Jacksonville as nanny, worked back in England at age 8 in a mill, Halifax, Yorkshire, England. We never got to know Grandfather Richard Butler, but  he taught her how to read and write. She became really good, too! Uncle Russell, Jim’s father, was our favorite Butler Uncle.  Jim always conveyed the same friendly spirit  and caring nature about family! Peace and grace!🙏

I met Jim during the Bill Owens campaign for Congress in 1992. He was a staff member for Bill and was always very friendly. I posted a picture of Bob Mingo, Jim, Wayne Morrison and myself on election night.

So sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers for your family. I have a memory of your loved one. In 1981 I was 16 years old and received my first speeding ticket from Officer Butler. When I returned home I had to face my father and tell him about the well deserved ticket. When my father (Dr. Larry Richards a dentist) looked at the ticket he said “you have to be kidding me”. I said “no Dad this is not a joke but why are you laughing and not mad at me”? He said “because Jim was in my office this morning so I’ll have to call him and tell him his bill just went up”.

Jim was my uncle. He was one of those people in the world that were larger than life. He spoiled us rotten when we were children. He would get us things for Christmas that were far too much for my parents to afford, not to show off but because he loved us dearly. In the late 1960s he was helping my dad frame a house in Springfield Illinois and he smashed his thumb really good and my dad was laughing as he watched Jim dance around and try to shake off the pain. Jim told my dad it wasn't funny. Then not five minutes later my dad smacked his thumb really bad and Jim said," see, I told you it wasn't funny.  I was very young but I remember it like yesterday. As an adult I never really got to spend any time with him but I do know from what I read that he was one of the finest. He was hard to beat in a shooting competition and he knew his facts when it came to firearms. He had many 1st place trophies from shooting competitions. He was honorable and truthful. If it came from Jim's mouth, it was true. He was one man that I was proud to be kin to.  I remember when I was very young he came to visit and had failed the physical test to get on as a trooper. He was disappointed but not discoursaged. He tested again and passed. When I was 13 he came to visit us in Texas. He told me he had totalled two squad cars in his 1st year on the force in high speed chases. I believe the 1st one he had hit the suspect on purpose to stop him. A testament to his bravery. He said after the 2nd one in a year, his boss told him don't total another or you won't be working.  He wasn't a huge man but he surely could handle himself.  You honestly did not want him to grab ahold of you because he wasn't going to let go.  He told me once he ran a plate of a vehicle in a bar parking lot and got a hit with a warrant for the owner. He then walked into the bar and casually looked around to see if the suspect was there. He told me when he saw the size of the guy he went back to his squad car and called for some back up. He was tough as any man I ever knew but he said this suspect was bigger than big and he really didn't want to get his clock cleaned.  Jim's smile was infectious. And that is how I will always and forever remember him. A huge smile on his face and a hearty laugh. He may have never known it but I always bragged about my uncle Jim and I was and will always be proud to be his nephew. My sister Debra is the one that keeps contact with all the family and now I wish I had been more diligent about staying in touch. I'm pretty good with a firearm and I always figured it was just something in my blood because uncle Jim was sure hard to beat and I always credited him when ever I was paid a compliment.  You will be missed by many people and save me a place at your table Jim. I will be proud to sit with you when I catch up to you. God rest your soul. I will have you as my wingman as I ride my motorcycle today and always.  I love you. Billy

Jim became my uncle when he and my aunt Nancy married in the 90's. I swear, I can't remember a time when this man didn't have a smile on his face. He loved to tease and joke around and I loved watching he and my aunt together, it was always a hoot. They reminded me of a sitcom couple with their always good-hearted verbal sparing. It was just so fun and I loved staying with them when I could get home to visit. He sure loved reading and movies involving military history and I don't think there was anything he didn't know or a question he couldn't answer on the subject. I will miss walking through that garage door and being greeted with his great smile and warm hug. He was just an honorable, humble man and a loved part of our family. He will be missed.

I first met Jim in the late '70s, when he was a range officer for ISP and I was  a new recruit for a municipal agency. My first impression of him was how professional and personable he was. A little later in the course, I also found out how skilled he was at shooting and teaching.  Our paths crossed several times between over the course of our careers, and he was always cordial and positive.   After our retirements, we never saw each other too often, although I did see him (for the last time) at Scheels during a SCRA meeting. Now, I'm really glad I went.  He was one of ISP's finest, a true gentleman, avid firearms enthusiast, and just an all- around, great guy.  RIP, Jim. You've earned your wings, sir.

Jim was one of my instructors at the Illinois State Police Academy back in 1975. He instructed me in handling my firearm and is partly responsible for me passing the qualification round and becoming a State Trooper. I am forever grateful for Jim’s knowledge and experience making it possible to achieve my dreams. Thank you!

I had spoken to Uncle Jim on the phone the weekend before his surgery.  He joked that this surgery might delay his getting down here to ride horses with me. I am so glad I had that conversation with him, it was our last. Uncle Jim used to love to pick at me when I was little.  At the ripe old age of 3 I told him he was aggravated torture. My folks were flabbergasted because as my mom said, they didn't know where I learned those words, but I said them and used them accurately. Then there was the day he was working in my grandma's yard and was sweating.  I very thoughtfully took him a glass of water. As he was just about to drink it, it occurred to him I was not big enough to reach the sink.  He asked me where I got the water at which point he followed me inside to the toilet.😃 I made a couple of trips to Illinois and we went to the range and did some shooting. He enjoyed showing me off to his shooting buddies.  They met at the range every Thursday to shoot some lead and some bull.☺️ I think I did well enough to impress him. I wish I could have spent more time with him.  I just hope he realized how much he meant to me and that I loved him dearly. One day when I cross that river, he and I will ride off on those horses.❤️

OBITUARY

James "Jim" W. Butler

June 9, 1935 – March 3, 2020

Butler Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center-Springfield

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