Col. James Lester Butler Jr.

In Loving Memory of Col (Ret) James Lester Butler, Jr.

Col James Lester Butler, Jr., 92, of Kansas City, Missouri passed away peacefully at his home on October 23, 2021.

James was born in Valley Mills Texas on September 15, 1929, son of late James Lester Butler and Rubye Sanderson Butler. He is preceded in death by his late and beloved wife of 65 years, Betty Sandra Butler, his daughter Kathy Lynn Evans, and his brother, Jack Austin Butler.

James graduated high school in Dixon, Missouri in 1948, received his BA from the University of Missouri, and his master’s in business management from CMSU. On February 2, 1954, James enlisted in the United States Air Force. In the span of his 20 years of service, James began his decorated military career as 2nd Lieutenant and retired as full bird Colonel. James served in the Vietnam Conflict. He was stationed overseas with his wife and two daughters in Tripoli, Libya and Aviano AFB in Pordenone, Italy and returned to the United States, continuing his military adventures with his family, being stationed in multiple Air Force Bases throughout the country.

James retired from the Air Force in 1974 and soon began the second chapter of his professional life with the Federal Aviation Administration where he performed his duties as a Federal Air Marshall and retired as a Civil Aviation Security Specialist in 1994.

For the last few years of his life, James was blessed with the love and companionship of his current wife, Betty Verdell Butler.

James’s faith was the cornerstone of his life. He served as deacon and as a member of the choir in multiple churches and spent more than 30 years as an active member of First Baptist Church of Raytown.

His passions in life were hunting and fishing. He had a reverence for nature and passed down his love for the great outdoors to his children and grandchildren. James was a man of integrity and honor, always a man of his word. He loved his family unconditionally and was always a calm and reassuring presence for those who knew him.

James is survived by his wife Betty Verdell Butler, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, his daughter Mona Suzette Wachsler and her husband Stephen Harry Wachsler of Marietta, Georgia; sister, Linda sue Gonnerman of Ashton, Illinois; granddaughters, Aubrey Karki Asbury and her husband Kenneth Lee Asbury of Kansas City, Missouri, Nichole George of Jefferson City, Missouri, Hilary Devin Karki of Minneapolis Minnesota, Ashley Renee Glasgow of Kansas City, Missouri and his one and only great grandson, Sullivan Karki Asbury of Kansas City, Missouri.

Memorial visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. with service to follow at 2:00 p.m. at Speaks Suburban Chapel on Friday October 29, 2021. Family request all who are in attendance to please wear a mask.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in James’s honor to Wounded Warrior.