Roll Call Tribute

Donald Lee "Butch" Williams 

March 16, 1943 - July 3, 2023 

Butch was born March 16, 1943 in Eden TX to Alva Lee and Mildred Oma (Bounds) Williams. He passed from this life at home, surrounded by family, on Monday, July 3, 2023.

He graduated from Eden High School in 1961. He earned his degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University. Butch married Shirley Ann Butterfield in Topeka KS. Together, they had two children, Lori, and Bryan, of whom he has always been so proud.

He worked at Armco Steel, Butler Construction, Monmac Construction, Eden Corrections Center, and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). As the lead engineer on several road projects, he was rightfully proud of the work he had done. Faced with any problem in life, he always thought it through carefully with a keen engineering mindset.

In the 90s, when Butch returned to Texas, he rekindled an earlier relationship with Johna Leatherwood. They married and lived in Austin for several years, before moving back to their hometown of Eden. After his retirement from TxDOT, he served two terms on the Eden City Council. He was ordained a Deacon in the First Baptist Church of Eden where he had been baptized in his youth. His faith in his Savior Jesus Christ was very strong.

In Butch’s words, he led a full life. He played Little League baseball and high school football. He was the starting quarterback in his junior and senior years. He grew up hunting and fishing and played golf later in life. His favorite TV shows were football (especially Texas Aggie football), old western series, game shows, and golf. He and Johna enjoyed taking trips together, like a cruise to Alaska and a drive through Big Bend National Park. Carroll, his older brother, was his best friend in life. He shared a love for God’s beautiful plants and flowers with his sister, Dinah.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents, Alva and Mildred Williams, and his two brothers, Arnold and Carroll Williams.

He is survived by his loving wife, Johna of Eden; sister, Dinah Stanley (Monty) of San Angelo; daughter, Lori Williams-Lynn (Ed) of Edwardsville KS; son, Bryan Williams and girlfriend Nikki Eads of Olathe KS; granddaughter, Paige Paikowski of Edwardsville KS; sister-in-law, Linda Williams of Austin; nephews, John Williams (Gloria) of Charlotte NC, and Tracy Williams (Jacquelyn) of Pleasant View UT; nieces, Susan Longbine (Mark) of Austin TX, and Caroline Laviolette (John) of Ft Worth TX. In addition, he is survived by numerous great-nephews and nieces, as well as great great-nephews and nieces. Also surviving are Johna’s family, as well as Butch’s and Johna’s fur babies, Jack, and Jill.

The family wishes to express their thanks to Bridgett Becker, who helped with his care when needed, and the Hospice of San Angelo.