William A. Butcher

William A. Butcher, MD was born in Creighton, Missouri on April 6, 1921, passed away April 5, 2011. After completing undergraduate studies at Central Methodist University he attended the University of Pennsylvania where he received his medical degree in 1945. He interned at the University of Chicago and was resident in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He received his master of Science in Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota. From 1942 to 1954 Dr. Butcher was also active in the U. S. Navy Medical Corps. In 1945 he married Elaine Carolyn Bottomley. They were blessed with four children. The family moved to Tucson in 1952 where he established a private practice in internal medicine and cardiology until 1986. He was a fellow of the American College of Physicians and a fellow of the American College of Cardiology. From 1959-1960 he served as chief of staff at Tucson Medical Center and at one time was president of the American Heart Association. In 1986 he retired and moved to Littleton, Colorado. He joined the Kiwanis club and was an active volunteer until his return to Tucson in 2004. Dad composed the above obituary a few years before his passing as an expression of his ultimate practicality and thoughtfulness, but a single paragraph cannot contain a life of service and love. It cannot express all the lives that were saved, all the hearts that were comforted by a physician who truly cared and applied all his talents as a diagnostician and practitioner in their care. It cannot describe the generosity and love towards his family, the dedication in always providing for his children, the glances of tenderness and occasional sly mischief, the sense of humor communicated in a look or the twinkle in his eye. It cannot paint a clear picture of the softening of the heart towards the end of his life as he struggled to maintain function and dignity in his courageous battle with Parkinson's disease, the squeeze of a hand and a tear expressing all the love that overflowed from his heart. The last line of his composed obituary listed as his motto "I care." It was a modest summation of a life well lived. He was, as many have said, a truly "good man." He passed away peacefully with family by his side one day short of this 90th birthday. He was preceded in death by parents, Raymond Harvey Butcher and Beulah Swindell; brother, Dr. Harvey Butcher. He is survived by his four children, James (Faye), Jennifer, Patricia (Dave) Sliffe, Cynthia and granddaughter, Shayla, all of Tucson. Also his niece, Nadine (Tom) Ball of MO; nephews, Harvey (Phillipa) Butcher III of Australia, and Eugene (Della) Butcher of CA; cousins, Suzanne Mundy and Robert Swindell of TX and cherished friends. He will be fondly remembered by family, friends, colleagues and community as a loving father, dedicated physician, U.S. Navy veteran, fierce tennis player, lover of poetry and classical music, Wii bowling champion and enthusiastic spectator of his granddaughter's swim meets, piano recitals, and softball games. The family wishes to thank those friends, physicians and special caregivers who treated "Dr. Bill" with kindness, patience and dignity. No formal services will be held at his request. Donations may be made to Meals on Wheels, American Heart Association, Parkinson's foundation, Peppi's House, TMC Auxiliary. "God has you in His keeping. We have you in our hearts." Arrangements by EAST LAWN PALMS.