Ronald Butts' Obituary
Ronald Dean “Ron” Butts, 94, passed away on Friday, March 14, 2025, in Decatur, IL.
Ron was born in Decatur on August 4, 1930, to the late Roy Butts and Florence Bender
Butts. He married his second-grade sweetheart, Barbara Hughes, on June 3, 1950; the
couple enjoyed over 73 years of marriage together until Barbara’s passing on March 9,
2024.
Ron will be remembered as a wonderful husband and father. His caring heart, good humor,
and passion for storytelling were a wonderful gift to his friends and loved ones. He worked
as Sales Manager at Wagner Castings in Decatur for many years.
Ron and Barbara were ‘snowbirds’ who migrated to their well-loved condo in Bonita
Springs, Florida to enjoy all that Southwest Florida has to offer. These were relatively short
trips for them as they also shared a love for traveling abroad. The pair took every
opportunity to visit Europe and filled their home with souvenirs and memories from these
adventures.
Ron was a British sports car fanatic – a passion he passed along to all four of his sons. He
enjoyed maintaining and (constantly) repairing his fleet - skills that were unfortunately
inherited by only two of his sons. He enjoyed playing tennis and regularly attended
professional events around the country.
Those surviving Ron include: sons, David (Janie) Butts of Decatur, Kenneth (Mary) Butts of
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, Roger Butts (Sandra Barton) of Decatur, and Steven (Melissa)
Butts of Bonita Springs, FL; grandchildren, Christopher (Laura) Butts, Alissa Butts (Amy
Peterselli), Erica (Brad) Abt, Jessica Butts (Ryan Dhindsa), Grace (Gus) Olsen, John Butts
(Alaina Reagan), Dean (Cana) Butts, Bryan Butts, Shannon Bowers, Laura (Torrey Pollard)
Butts, and Roy Butts; great-grandchildren, Layla Butts, Evelyn Butts, Cameron Butts, Evan
Abt, Cora Abt, Reynie Abt, Glen Olsen, Mary Ellen Olsen, Ivy Bowers, Sora Bowers, Kyler
Pollard, Winnona Pollard, and Ronan Pollard; nieces, Debbie Boaz, Vera (Johnny) Holland,
and Janie Harnish-Rast; and nephews John (Larisa) Hughes and Brad Harnish.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Randall Residence Assisted Living
as well as Elara Caring Hospice for the phenomenal care they gave Ron during their time
with him.
Funeral service for Ron Butts will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at
Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., and Ron will be laid
to rest with Barbara in Graceland Cemetery following the funeral. In lieu of flowers,
memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association.
What’s your fondest memory of Ronald?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ronald?
Share a story where Ronald's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ronald you’ll never forget.
How did Ronald make you smile?
