William Robert Butler

William R. Butler (Bill) passed away peacefully on November 16 at Luna House and Hospice in Nampa, Idaho with his wife, Kathy and family by his side. 

Bill was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on December 31, 1950 to Rae and William Butler. He moved to York, Pennsylvania with his family in 1964 where he attended Central High School and graduated in the class of 1969. 

After obtaining his GRI from the Pennsylvania Institute of Real Estate Studies, he worked for Century 21 as a Recruiter/Trainer until 1991 when he and his wife, Kathy moved to the Wood River Valley in Idaho.

Settling in Idaho, Bill and Kathy managed the Lift Tower Ski Lodge in Ketchum, Idaho. He then worked as a security officer and was part of the disaster relief team after Hurricane Katrina. 

He was an avid pool player and a head referee for the Billiard Congress of America where he worked tournaments in Las Vegas and volunteered his time each year at the Senior Games in Boise.

Bill loved the outdoors. Hunting and hiking in the beautiful Sawtooth Mountains was his happy place. He also enjoyed fishing in his favorite spot at the Silver Creek Preserve. 

Bill loved his family and friends and was kind to everyone he met. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. 

He was preceded in death by his father, William and mother, Rae Butler and is survived by his wife, Kathy of 47 years, his sister, Patricia Backman of Cicero, New York, brother, Michael Butler of Belle Vista, Arkansas, nephew, Austen Butler of Incline, Nevada, and niece Ali Zuba of San Diego, California. 

Contributions can be made to The Nature Conservancy and sent to Box 2770 Hailey Idaho, 83333. Please include a note in memory of Bill Butler for The Silver Creek Preserve - the place he cherished. 

A celebration of life will be held privately with the family. 

“We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share. This is a precious moment, but it is transient. It is a little parenthesis in eternity. If we share with caring, lightheartedness, and love, we will create an abundance and joy for each other. And then this will have been worthwhile.” Deepak Chopra