Norman Butler

Norman Everett (Sonny) Butler entered rest on March 29, 2023, in Haskell, TX at the age of 90 years old with his daughter and Son-in-Law at his side.

Norman was born December 20, 1932 in San Antonio, TX to Virginia and Bernard Butler, both deceased. He married the love of his life, Melba Jo (Jodie) Cales. He lived in Pipe Creek, TX for more than 50 yrs.  When his health started to decline, he moved with his daughter to Haskell, TX, where she worked, for 3 years. They lived on beautiful Lake Stamford, where he could fish and enjoy living at the water’s edge.

Norman had many adventures in his lifetime and many diverse professions.  He was drafted into the Korean War by the Army and was subsequently stationed at Ft Bliss in White Sands, New Mexico. He trained a lot of heroes that went overseas to fight for our country. His further professions included working alongside his dad in a butcher shop as a butcher.  Driving eighteen wheelers hauling oil, vegetables and produce: co-owning a trucking company with his family.  He later worked for American Can Company in San Antonio where he retired from. He was a dedicated worker and wasn’t quite ready to be retired, so he then bought Hill Country Towing and ran that business until he retired full time.

Norman was a man’s man.  He would tell you what he thought and how it was without reservation! He was a race car driver, racing mostly in Austin and San Antonio. Although the family never knew the meaning of the name, the racing community called him “Pud”. He raced with some of the greats before they were big time racers, like Rutherford, Unser, and Foyt. He loved all NASCAR divisions and dirt track racing and followed them closely through his life. He stopped racing to raise his family, but that didn’t keep him completely out of the racing game. He helped his daughter convert an old car into demolition derby car and he even drove in demolition derbies with that car.

He was a devoted outdoorsman with fishing and hunting being a huge part of his life.  He loved fishing so much he owned a fishing guide business before it became popular that he ran on his days off in Rockport, Texas. Every summer was spent at the coast with camping from tents to RVs over the years. He loved watching fishing, hunting and racing shows on TV.

Norman moved his family to Pipe Creek, TX and lived there for 50+ yrs.  He loved country living.  He helped organize Pipe Creek Volunteer fire department, volunteered with EMS, and was an active member of emergency communication “REACT” club. He was there when the original fire department house was built and even had a fire phone in his home before 911 was established! There was even a radio to talk to fire trucks in the house. Life was all about helping his community, and he was always on scene whether it was floods, fires, or car accidents. There was a lot of fun times doing pumper races at other fire departments and being part of them during the Pipe Creek fire department’s annual Barbecue. Family life was very active around the house, at the coast, fire department, or family functions. He will be sorely and deeply missed!

He is survived by his daughter Judith Jolene Bennett (Richard); Johnny Butler; Gerald Fischer; Sister-in-Law Bonnie Butler; Grandchildren; and Nieces & Nephews; Cousins, and Friends.

He was preceded in death by his Wife Jodie; Daughters Terry Ruth and Janet Gail;

Sisters Noreen Homza and Sue Farrar; Brothers Bernard Dennis and Bernard Norman, Jr.

Visitation will be held April 27, 2023 from 5 pm -7pm. At Grimes Funeral Chapel in Bandera, Tx.

Graveside Service with be held at Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX on April 28, 2023 at 1:30 pm.