Stephen H. Butler

Stephen H. Butler of Little Rock passed away December 20, 2015. He was born in Little Rock November 23, 1923, to Julius S. Butler and Josephine Powell Butler Meltona. He lived in Little Rock all his life. He was a man who loved his family and was loved by them. Stephen was a 1941 graduate of Little Rock High School. He was a retired printer who worked at Democrat Printing for over 35 years. He was an active member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church until the Sunday of his death. He was a former deacon and Missionary Baptist Seminary trustee. Stephen was very active man who played softball and ran 10K races until in his 70's. He was a Little League coach at Junior Deputy Field for several years. He taught his children and grandchildren many things by his Christian example. He taught them the value of work by never missing a day even when it snowed, he taught them the love of family by always being there, he taught them the value of listening and when talking was important. His grandchildren will tell you that he taught them the value in winning because he would never LET them win. He was a kind man with a gentle spirit. He will be remembered for his faithfulness — to his Church, to his devoted wife, to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He leaves behind his wife of 25 years — the joy of his life, Joy J Butler; his three children, Tom Butler (Becky), Jerry Butler (Carolyn), and Janet Harrison (Bob), all of Little Rock; his eight grandchildren, Jason Butler (deceased), Meredith Scroggin (Bennie) of LR, Jared Butler (Jessica) of Bryant, Justin Butler (Lindsey) of LR, Drew Butler (Sarah) of Charleston, S.C., Wes Butler (Christi) of Benton, Matt Harrison (Frank) of LR, and Courtney Harless (Richard) of LR. He leaves behind 16 great-grandchildren who knew him as "Big Granddad": Gage Butler, Quinn Butler, Noelle Scroggin, Liza Scroggin, Mia Griffin, Monica Butler, Jodi Butler, Wade Butler, Jackson Butler, Madison Butler, Brooks Wetmore, Riggs Butler, Knox Butler, Mayson Butler, Clay Brown, and Ruby Harrison. He is also survived by Joy's three children, Kathleen Shumate and Wayne Harness (Donna) of Louisiana, and Randall Harness (Beth) of Conway; his seven step-grandchildren, Nathan Shumate, Kristen Ducote (Caleb), Kaitlyn Shumate, Tess Shumate, Kayla Harness and Megan Harness all of Louisiana, and Adam Harness of Conway; and his seven step-great-grandchildren: Lexis Shumate, Lanna Shumate, Conner Shumate, Haden Shumate, Peyton Antee, Jack Dekeyser all of Louisiana and Kristen Pippins of Utah. Stephan also leaves a host of nieces and nephews and friends to remember him fondly. He was preceded in death by his grandson Jason Butler, his wife of 45 years Ruby Butler, three brothers—Eugene Butler, William Butler, and George Butler, and one sister Josephine Hotard. Visitation will be at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. 72211,(501-224-8300), on Tuesday, December 22, from 5 until 7 p.m. The memorial service will be at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church on Wednesday, December 23, at noon with interment at Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery following. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.