Hal Wayne Butler

HAL WAYNE BUTLER, 80, of Little Rock passed away Friday, May 13. On the eve of their 61st anniversary, Hal Butler joined his beloved Patsy Brame Butler for their happy eternity. Hal was the first baby born in Sparkman, Ark. on Jan. 1, 1931. In 1948, Hal attended, and played basketball for Henderson State University in Arkadelphia. Just before the U.S. Air Force beckoned him for service, Hal met Patsy Brame and married her as soon as he completed boot camp. Hal's service career took them to Redbank, N.J., and Olathe, Kan. Hal was separated from Patsy for one long year while stationed in Korea during the Korean conflict. In the mid-1950s, Hal briefly worked for Fones Bros. of Little Rock, then launched his long and stellar career with The Trane Company. After retiring several times from Trane, Hal continued to work in the heating and air conditioning field, sharing his unique expertise with Scott Systems and Marvair, Inc. Hal loved life, laughter, sports, Oaklawn, and especially adored his Patsy and the light of their lives, daughter Mary Pat. Hal was pre-deceased by parents Harry N. and Ennis Mae Butler of Sparkman; siblings Betty Georgia, John, and Rex; his infamous Saturday morning PVCC golf group, and his dear wife, Patsy. Hal is survived by daughter Mary Pat Rabroker and son-in-law Philip Rabroker; grandsons Stephen and Christopher Rabroker, all of Dallas; brother Harry Nathanial Butler, Jr. of Portland, sister Carolyn Sue Butler Hartnett of Little Rock, and Florida, along with a host of loving nieces and nephews. Hal's services will be held at the Griffin-Leggett Healey and Roth chapel, 5800 W. 12th St. Little Rock, 501-661-9111 at 1 p.m. Monday, May 16. The family will share a brief fellowship time at noon of the same day in the Griffin-Leggett lobby. Instead of flowers, the family requests memorials to the American Cancer Society , 901 N. University, Little Rock, Ark. 72201, or American Diabetes Association, 212 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72205. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.