Josiah Powell Butler, Sr.

Josiah Powell Butler Sr was born on October 21, 1936 in Walnut Grove Mississippi to parents William Raiford Butler Sr. and Hattie Sanders Butler. The seventh of eight children, he passed away on Dec. 31, 2019. Mr. Butler was predeceased by his parents, brothers: William Raiford Butler Jr, Charles M. Butler, Beverly G. Butler, Robert Henry Butler, Dr. Gene P. Butler, and sister: Mary Louise Butler Seale. He is survived by his sister Rosalind Butler Ross of Madison MS. He is survived by his wife, Betty Moss Butler of Daphne AL; his loving wife of 53 years. A daughter, Ashley Butler Rogers and her husband Ray Rogers of Fairhope AL; his son, Josiah Powell Butler Jr and his wife Sherik Vitulli Butler of Daphne AL. Mr. Butler is also survived by his three grandchildren: Reagan Elizabeth Horsley of Fairhope AL, Josiah Powell Butler III and William Cody Butler, both of Daphne AL. He is also survived by sister-in-law Janet Butler of Hendersonville NV, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  Mr. Butler grew up in Jackson Mississippi attending Powers Elementary School, Bailey Junior High School and graduated from Central High School in 1954. Following graduation he attended the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) graduating in 1958 with a Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA) degree. He also graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at L.S.U. in 1979. He was an active member of Ole Miss Alumni Association, National and Mobile chapters. Mr. Butler served his nation for 8 years as a member of the United States Navy Reserve from 1953 to 1961. After obtaining his degree from Ole Miss, Mr. Butler began a career in the financial services industry for 15 years, living in Phoenix AZ, Atlanta GA, Mobile AL and Savannah GA. It was while he was employed in Atlanta during 1965 that he met Betty J Moss, the love of his life, whom he married on August 6, 1966. They transferred to Mobile in 1970.  His second career began in December 1973 with Commercial Guaranty bank, later to become SouthTrust Bank of Mobile (now Wells Fargo), where he served as Executive Vice President until 1995. He served as City President of SouthTrust Bank of South Mississippi in Pascagoula until his retirement in December, 1996. Mr. Butler came out of retirement in 1997 to serve as Executive Vice President with Colonial Bank in Mobile until his final retirement in March 2001.  He served as President, as well as on the Board of the Tri-State Gulf Chapter of Bank Administration Institute (BAI), covering the MS Gulf Coast, AL Gulf Coast and FL Panhandle banks. He was also an instructor for the American Institute of Banking (AIB) in Mobile for 18 years, and awarded the “Outstanding Service Award” in 1978.  Mr. Butler was a 25 year member of Forest Hill United Methodist Church in Mobile. He served as a member of the Administrative Board for numerous years and was Chairman for one term. He also was a longtime usher there. After moving to Daphne AL in 2004, he and his wife transferred their membership to Daphne United Methodist Church, where he served his Lord and Savior until his death.  Mr. Butler had a strong interest in civic affairs and a deep passion for volunteerism. This led him to become involved with the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce as a volunteer, where he served as Chairman of the Diplomats, a group focusing on membership. He received the “Diplomat of the Year” award at the annual meeting of the Chamber in 1993. He was recognized as “Boss of the Year” in 1974 by the Mobile Jaycees. He served on the Advisory Council of Retired Senior Volunteers Program (RSVP) of Senior Citizens Services. He volunteered with the United Way of Southwest Alabama in all divisions for 13 years, on capital campaigns. In 1974, Mr. Butler joined the Crichton Optimist Club in Mobile where he remained an active member for 45 years. He served as President, Lieutenant Governor of Zone 7 Ala-Miss District of Optimist International. He was awarded “Optimist of the Year by Club”, as well as the Life Membership Award. He served as a Board Member of the club until his death. His love of sports led Mr. Butler to become involved in many areas of the rich sports history of Mobile County. He was a founding Board Member and Officer of the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame, serving until his retirement in 2017. He was a longtime member of the Senior Bowl Committee and served as Chairman of the Corporate Hospitality Pavilion at the Senior Bowl’s annual game for several years. He was a longtime member of the Mobile Touchdown Club, where he also served on the Board of Directors. Though, of all of his personal and professional accomplishments and accolades, his largest joy and fulfillment in life came from being a devoted husband to his wife, a supportive father to his daughter & son, a loving papa to his grandchildren, and a faithful servant to his Lord & Savior Jesus Christ by way of His Church. The Butler family would like to extend their everlasting gratefulness to Dr. Martin Lester and staff, Dr. Michael W. Meshad and staff, and the entire staff of the Infusion Clinic at Thomas Hospital for their love, care and compassion over these many years. Visitation will be at Daphne United Methodist Church, one hour prior to the funeral service at 11:00am on Sat., Jan. 4, 2020. A private interment will follow at Mobile Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations to Daphne United Methodist Church or to the Thomas Hospital Foundation; The Butler family also requests your consideration of becoming a blood donor.   ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 19698 GREENO RD FAIRHOPE, AL 36532 (251) 990-7775