Charles Dana Butts

1921 - 2015

Longtime San Antonio Attorney Charles Dana Butts, 94, passed away on Thursday, July 23, 2015. Celebration of life: His life will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough, San Antonio. Interment: Texas State Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Porter Loring Mortuary. Pallbearers: Mark Stevens, Marcus Rogers, Herbert E. Pounds Jr., David Chapman, Judge Pat Priest and Dr. Landon Wellford. Honorary pallbearers: Members of Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and the San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. Mr. Butts was born June 30, 1921, in Wichita Falls to Maureen and John Butts. He received a BA in government and economics and his LLB from the University of Texas. After serving in the 381st Bomb Group in England during World War II, he received the Bronze Star. Mr. Butts was a charter member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA), serving as its president. He was also a member of the TCDLA Hall of Fame. He served as president of the San Antonio Bar Association and was a director of the State Bar Association. Mr. Butts was a member of the editorial board of the San Antonio Lawyer magazine for 16 years and was a frequent contributor. Mr. Butts' many honors include listing in the Best Lawyers of America (1991-present). Mr. Butts was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved eldest son, Charles Dana Butts Jr. Survivors: He is survived by his wife, retired Justice of the Fourth Court of Appeals, Shirley Butts; his daughter, Diana Phillips; his son, Robert Butts; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.