James "Jim" Arthur Butler

February 8, 1945 - August 31, 2018

Jim Butler, 73, of Guntersville passed away Friday, August 31, 2018 at Shepherd’s Cove. Jim was the son of the late Travis and Clorene (McDaniel) Butler. He graduated from Albertville High School in 1963. He attended Jacksonville State University where he graduated with a bachelor’s of science degree in math and physics in 1968. Jim worked most of his career as a software safety analysis engineer in Huntsville. His career was an accomplished one; he was published in the Quality Assurance Worldwide Journal and Crosstalk Journal of Defense Software Engineering for his work on the Apache and Chinook helicopters. It was his love of family, fishing and Alabama football that gave Jim the most pleasure in life. He was a loving husband 52 years to his wife, Judy, who he called Sissy. He loved his daughter, Liz. Most of all he doted on his grandsons, Cade and Will. He shared with them his love of fishing and the three spent innumerable hours on the lake looking for bass and spending time together. His happiest times were on Lake Guntersville with a fishing rod in his hand and watching Alabama beat Auburn and Tennessee. Jim was an active member of First Baptist Church in Guntersville. He also enjoyed his Tuesday luncheons with friends that he referred to as his ROMEO Club (Retired Old Men Eating Out) at Papa Dubi’s. Jim was survived by his wife, Judy (Walley) Butler of Guntersville, daughter Liz and son-in-law Brian Matthews of Guntersville, grandsons Cade and Will Hamm of Guntersville, granddaughter Emily Matthews of Tuscaloosa, his brother Sam (Claudette) Butler of Guntersville as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. Jim’s funeral will be Monday, September 3, 2018 at First Baptist Church in Guntersville at 2 pm with visitation from noon to 2 pm. He will be buried at Marshall Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, Jim’s family requests that donations be made to the following: Blessings in a Backpack provides weekend meals for underprivileged children who would otherwise go hungry when school is not in session. Checks may be made to Blessings in a Backpack and mailed to 502 Blount Avenue, Guntersville, Alabama 35976 Maker’s Child provides respite care for families of children with special needs. It is a ministry of The Fellowship Church. Checks may be made to The Fellowship with the designation for “Maker’s Child Ministry” on the check. They may be mailed to 1645 AL Highway 75, Albertville, Alabama 35951. The Order of the Arrow Memorial in Honor of Jim Butler will provide scholarships for Scouts to attend camps and special events who could otherwise be unable to afford to attend. Checks may be made to The Order of the Arrow Memorial in Honor of Jim Butler and mailed to The Greater Alabama Council BSA, c/o David Self, 516 Liberty Parkway, Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35242