Wallace Martin Butler

Wallace “Wally” M. Butler, our loving and devoted father, grandfather, uncle and friend was welcomed home on July 1, 2025, at the age of 64.

Wally was born on April 18, 1961, in Trenton, MI to the late Jay and Ida (Ross) Butler who made sure he had a great childhood and upbringing. Some of Wally’s best childhood memories were boating, camping, fishing, building forts, and riding his snow mobile and motorcycle.

He was a 1979 graduate of Reese High School before joining the Military. Wally was a proud veteran of the United States Coast Guard which he served from 1979 to 1999 as a Mechanical Engineer and qualified as a rescue swimmer and sharpshooter, among many other achievements. Although he lived in many areas, Michigan was always his home.

In 1982 he married Teresa (Kloha) Butler with whom they had two children, Cavan and Amber. They made wonderful memories of traveling and family events. After 30 years of marriage Wally and Teresa amicably divorced. Wally then met his partner and best friend Mary Jo, in which they shared over a decade’s worth of memories and laughter.

His favorite past time was spending time with family and especially playing with his grandchildren. Wally was best at bringing out his inner child when he was around children. You could often find him playing on the floor, giving horsey back rides or being goofy. His grandchildren loved him and will miss him.

Wally was a jack of all trades. After retirement from the Coast Guard, he worked in HVAC, worked for the Buena Vista School District and Township for 18 years and drove bus for Freeland Schools.

Wally was a faithful member of the Baptist community. He believed in God and Jesus and read the Bible. Although saying goodbye is bittersweet, he was comforted knowing there is Heaven and that he would meet his family members there.

Wally enjoyed classic Western and comedy movies, being mechanically gifted and working on his house or tinkering around on his truck.

People would describe Wally as a playful, joking, jolly man. His generosity knew no bounds. He will be remembered as always being ready to offer a helping hand or a corny joke to make you smile. Wally always looked out for his family and his cautious texts and phone calls, whether about the weather, recalls or deer will be missed. He simply just wanted to be a good man, and he far exceeded that. His memory will live on in the hearts of all that loved him.

Wally was preceded in death by his parents Jay and Mary Butler, Ida and William Summers, brother Jay Allen III, brother-in-law Ed Sheehan, many aunts and uncles, and furry companion Shazam.

Surviving him are his children Cavan Butler and Amber (Skyler) Peabody, granddaughters Amelia and Zadie, sister-in-law Anne (Kloha) Sheehan, girlfriend Mary Jo, her son Patrick (Lauren) Hilligas, and grandchildren Ada, Arianna, Alex, Leah, Isabella, Caiden and Gabe, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Honoring Wally’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Interment will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Rd Holly, MI 48442, with Military Honors rendered under the auspices of the United States Coast Guard and V.F.W. Post # 1452. A celebration of life will be held at the Freeland Memorial Park Building, 150 Park Street, Freeland, MI 48623 on Sunday August 17, 2025 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

The family would like to send a special thank you to the Ann Arbor and Saginaw VA for their compassion and support.