William “Bill†Butterfield, 94, peacefully passed away on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family. An Evansville native, son of the late Sidney and Ruth (Lane) Butterfield,
Bill loved and served the community that raised him. To that end, he started businesses, chaired charitable boards, and fought hard to keep Evansville and all of Indiana a safe haven for the unborn. An early advocate for Civil Rights, Bill cared that the rights of all people, born and unborn, were protected, and he faithfully and passionately lived out that belief. Even in his last weeks of life, his family and friends were receiving emails from him keeping them informed on local and state issues of importance. His faith in Jesus Christ and deep love for his family inspired him, and he will be fondly remembered for his heart of gold and engaging sense of humor.
Bill attended Bosse high school and served as the president of the Student Council for 2 years. He received his undergraduate degree at Purdue University where he was president of the senior class, president of the alumni class, president of Delta Rho Kappa, a Purdue Science Scholastic Honorary, graduated with the highest distinction, and was a member of the Century Club. He received his master’s degree at Harvard Business School with the HBS Honorary.
As a businessman, Bill left his mark as the prior owner/president of Tri-State Athletic Club, Tri-State Satellite, Smith and Butterfield, Ambassador Travel, Snap Photo, and Evansville Basketball Academy. As a humanitarian and philanthropist, he served as chairman of the board for Vanderburgh County Right to Life, WNIN Public Broadcasting, Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana, United Way of Southwestern Indiana, and the March of Dimes Polio Campaign. He also served as a board member for Life Issues Institute and Indiana Right to Life, campaign chairman for the United Way of Southwestern Indiana, and the president and treasurer of the Mayor’s Human Relations Committee. He received the Vanderburgh County Right to Life Notable Achievement Award and the Jaycee Distinguished Service Award.
Bill loved sports, particularly Purdue University sports! An avid tennis and basketball player, he was a champion athlete: a member of the 1945 Bosse High School state championship team, member of the 1946 Indiana Basketball High School All Stars, a Purdue University basketball letterman, played one year in the National Professional Basketball League and defeated the Harlem Globe Trotters, and he was a member of the Robert’s Stadium Basketball Hall of Fame. He served on the board of Evansville Area Tennis Patrons and was chairman of the board for the National Indoor Tennis Association.
Keeping his family close was a high priority for Bill. He blessed his children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren with frequent trips together and family reunions so that they could know and love each other as he knew and loved them. He is survived by a son, James (Barbara) Butterfield of Evansville, IN; daughters, Kathy (Rev. David) Brooks of Manchester, NH, Betsy (Fred) McGarvey of Indianapolis, IN, Sarah (Gerd) Budden of Lake Oswego, OR., Tracy (Phil) Kessler of Evansville, IN, Rhonda (Tim) Dame of Evansville, IN, Kelly Butterfield of Evansville, IN, and Jama (Jeff) Bannister of Evansville, IN; grandchildren, Sarah Cox, Jon Brooks, Courtney Hahn, Daniel Brooks, Caleb Brooks, Andrea Prisk, Megan McGarvey, Elizabeth McGarvey, Anna Budden, Sidney Waddington, Amy Giorgio, William Brooks, Sarah Morris, Jan Budden, Logan Dame, Katarina Budden, David Butterfield, Hilary Scott, Christian Budden, Mackenzie Santos, Harrison Parchment, Mia Parchment, Bjorn Budden, Eric Budden, and Vivecka Heinke; 37 great-grandchildren; sister, Dr. Mary Butterfield of Pompano Beach, FL.; nephew, William Thomas; and nieces, Mary Thomas Lentz, Julie Thomas Cohen, and Sarah Thomas Petro.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Ruth Thomas; and his former wife, Connie Butterfield.
Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at Alexander Funeral Home-East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714. Funeral Services will begin at 1:30 p.m. June 19, 2022, at Bethel Church, 4400 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714 with Pastors Steve and Dave Schwambach officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. Bill’s funeral service will be live-streamed beginning at 1:15 p.m., please visit the following link, www.facebook.com/FuneralStreamUSA.
In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to Right to Life of Southwest Indiana, 20 NW Third Street, Suite 810, Evansville, IN 47708; Indiana Right to Life, 9465 Counselors Row, Indianapolis, IN 46240; 1 on 1 Church 5177 Rosebud Lane, Evansville, IN 47630; Bethel Church 4400 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714.
The family would love to hear your favorite story of Bill. Please visit www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.
