Blondie Butler

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Blondie Butler, 95, passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2025, in Joplin, Missouri. Blondie was born March 16, 1929, in Sutton, West Virginia to Preston Green Butler and Bertha Ethos (Rogers) Butler. He had been a resident of Carthage since the early 1970’s. 

Blondie was a mechanical engineer and retired after 25+ years with Leggett & Platt. He was an active member of Center Point Christian Church, never met a stranger, had a great sense of humor, and loved to make people laugh. Blondie stayed busy with many passions. He enjoyed painting (landscapes mostly), creating stained glass projects, and gardening (mainly keeping up with his apple trees). Blondie was an avid model train builder and took up painting to help create his own backgrounds. He was a gifted musician and bluegrass enthusiast. Blondie could play the banjo and mandolin; however, he could also play the guitar and the fiddle if needed. Blondie was proud to have served his beloved country during the Korean war in the U.S. Army.

Blondie was united in marriage to Frances Westfall on July 3, 1954, at the Methodist Church in Sutton, West Virginia; she survives.

Blondie is survived by his wife, Frances, of 70 years; one son, Brad Butler (Mandy) of Carthage, Missouri; three daughters, Debbie Jennings (Allen) of Reeds, Missouri, Kim Baldwin of Joplin, Missouri, and Tina Snyder (Lenny Robertson) of Carthage, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Daniel (Brooke), Dustin, Darren (Angela), Kerrie (Austin), Grant, Grace, Erin, Clay, and Blake; and eight great grandchildren, Trigg, Issac, Payton, Zak, Taylor, Harley, Maddox, and Lennox.

Blondie is preceded in death by one son, Craig Butler, his parents, Preston and Bertha Butler, and 12 siblings.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Center Point Christian Church in Carthage, Missouri. A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until service time. The burial will be at Fasken Cemetery in Carthage, Missouri.

Contributions may be made to Center Point Christian Church Building Fund in care of Ulmer Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.ulmerfh.com.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Ulmer Funeral Home in Carthage, Missouri.