Obituary of Ralph R. Butler

A memorial service celebrating the life of USAF Retired Master Sergeant Ralph Raymond Butler Jr. will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 11:00 am at Boone Funeral Home in Bossier City. A service, with military honors, will follow at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Keithville, Louisiana at 2:30 in the afternoon. Ralph Butler was born May 18, 1935 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he was raised and eventually met his wife Janet. They married on November 7, 1954. His military career led the family to Duluth, Bermuda, Rantoul, Grand Forks, Spokane, and eventually to Bossier City where they enjoyed their retirement. He proudly served his country in Vietnam. He is well known for his great sense of humor, a great passion for playing pool, fishing and having a great way with animals. He was the fast pitch softball pitcher for 2nd Air Force team and a Golden Gloves Champion boxer in youth. He passed away early Tuesday morning, April 8th at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home in Bossier City. He is preceded in death by his wife of 59 years Janet Yvonne Haugen Butler and his three brothers Ben Butler of Sioux Falls; Harry & Mary Butler of Phoenix, Arizona; and Albert Butler of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Ralph is survived but his sister in law Dorrine Butler of Sioux Falls; his sons Scott Butler of Bossier City, Louisiana, Steve Butler and his wife Dina of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Mike Butler of Cordova, Alaska and Dan Butler of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In addition, he loved his grandchildren Michael, David and his wife Destini, Timothy, Margaret and Riley. He also leaves behind his valued friendships with Boyd, Rita and Travis Swenson, and Carole and Ed Laskowski. He loved all of his many nieces and nephews as well. Special thanks to Scott Butler, Elaine Whitfield Lee, Carole and Ed Laskowski for all they did to care for Ralph during his lengthy time of illness, and to Timothy and Margaret for sharing their Dad's time so generously. The family also wishes to thank the staffs of the Northwest Louisiana Veteran's Home and the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center for the care they provided for Ralph and all of the other war heroes in their care.