William Abbott Butler

Condolences to the Butler family, especially Joe, Jewels, and Joe's girls. Bill and our dad, Ty Norton, were friends for 50 years since meeting in Manila, PI, in the 1960s. They both loved to sail. Dad sailed with Bill 3 times across the Atlantic; and he cherished his memories of those sailing adventures until the day he died. Dad especially enjoyed getting to know Joe when they sailed across with Bill in 1992. Ty & Bill are sailing again on the high seas with fair winds, following seas, and cold San Miguel's.

-Marilyn, Abi, & Beverley Norton -

Querido Hermano Bill Butler aka Cubiche, extrañaré mucho nuestros esporádicos mensajes respecto a la vida, la amistad, el mar...fuiste grande, lleno de paz y bondad, que tengas un buen viaje a la Eternidad...
Un abrazo fraterno
Tiburón Blanco Cerpa aka TBC

I will miss Bill Butler in the November 2024 Ruston Reunion, and I won't be the only one. He was well-loved by his Ruston family. I couldn't believe the stories about his shipwrecks during our time together in the Centennial Reunion in 2021...his Ruston education I know contributed to his wonderful and challenging life...my condolences to the family.

Our condolences go out to all of the Bill Butler family. A donation was made to the St Louis Catholic Church, 7270 SW 120th ST. Pinecrest, FL 33156, in honor of BilI. Also, a mass will be offered on December 22, 2024, at the 11 AM mass.

I cherish a moment in the Virgin Islands watching Skipper sail away with three grandchildren, 14 and under, aboard his sailboat without refrigeration, no working motor at the time. He blew his conch shell horn as he sailed into the sunset.

You made your last sail to your heavenly home. We await to see you on the other side. We remember so many precious memories on land and sea. The conch horn blows for thee.

Love,
Reiner and Barbara

Condolences to the Butler Family. I was friends with Jim and Sally back in the day in Caracas, Venezuela.

Bill Tiernay

I love you Grandpa and will miss you forever.

Bill and I spent many miles together sailing. I fondly remember going through the Panama Canal, down the east and west coasts of South America, on the rivers of Europe from Amsterdam to Budapest. I miss him. We became very close friends. He meant a lot to me.
Good-bye my friend,
Reiner

So many years I have known this man. My father's closest friend. Always looking out for the best for us. Wow, the memories just come flooding back. Playa Grande, Siboney, Polaris, sailing. The friendship that he showed my dad when my brother died still brings tears to my eyes. Racing his car up the winding roads of El Penon with my dad in his own car. Yeah, I watched those two from the house balcony. Always having fun. They must have been in their 40's then. After a few cocktails I'm sure. I can remember when he was lost at sea. We all knew something was terribly wrong. I never saw my Dad cry, but he did then. What a life he led. Full of love, adventure, heartache, all the things that make us human. He sure had a big heart though. When my stepmom passed away and left her little dog, Pico, Bill wanted the dog. Lirio was not amused. She had never had a pet. Said she lived on the 12th floor, ect. Bill was, don't you worry Capricita, Pico will be fine. He was right. Lirio fell in love with that little dog. God Bless him. I will miss him terribly. I love you Bill.

1992 America 500

Skip, don´t know where to start. You´ve part of my life for more than 50 years. I grew up with all your children, who I still stay in touch with. Let´s not forget all those memories on board the Siboney. A wet one she was. All those trips to "Los Rogues". Our membership in Playa Grande. So many wonderful memories. My father, Siro Cugini passed 14 years ago and you two were inseparable, best of friends for over 60 years. We will miss you with all our heart. At least the two of you will be together again. We love you Skip. "Fair Winds And Following Seas.

I am proud and Happy to have had the pleasure of sailing with Skippee for several thousands of miles around South America, Cape Horn (almost) and San Juan to Amsterdam via the Azores and England.
Bill was a master of "jury rigged" repairs. Skippee, Mountain Mike, and Matey spent most of the days between San Juan and the Azores repairing leaking fuel tanks, wind generators and more.
After Mike got off, Skippee and I weathered 3 gales in the Atlantic before finally reaching Weymouth England.
Bill was truly a Man's Man.
May he have following winds on his next journey
Matey Chuck Adams

Had the pleasure to meet Bill and Lirio years back when Lirio came for treatment to Houston Medical Center. My husband, Bill's cousin, Bill, and Lirio had a wonderful lunch which allowed us to chat about our lives in Cuba and our families. We enjoyed talking to Bill by phone or by Skype at least once every two months. Always invited us to go sailing with him. I regret that I never did! May You Have a Final Beautiful Sailing to Heaven!

Memories fade at times. So glad to look back and remembering the good times Puerto Rico was a wonderful place to visit. Bill was a pleasure to be around. Warm hearts full of their stories to share. Kim and Donna

Muchos recuerdo llegan de mi infancia, oficina, mar y cariño, un abrazo muy grande a a toda la familia Butler

I had the pleasure of sailing many thousands of miles with Skippee. He was a master of jury rigging. We spent some 60 days sailing from San Juan to the Azores and then to Amsterdam. Most days were spent fixing leaky fuel tanks, leaky rudder posts, broken wind generator, ,,,,,always cheerful and with healthy doses of Roncitos, Pisco's New Chance, and Bull shots. By the time we reached England after battling 3 Gales, we had consumed the entire supply of alcohol except for a bottle of Havana Club dark rum which Skippee would not share and a bottle of Gold Schnapps which he assigned to me.
I am honored to have known Bill Butler and to call him my friend.
Chuck "Matey" Adams

Such an amazing Man that never road of course with his passion for the sea. I know he will be missed greatly! His life stories are like a movie...I still have and treasure his book. I can see in my mind the Matheson Hammock bon voyage as he sailed off on the Siboney to see the world...
I send my deepest sympathy for your loss and pray that you all will only be surrounded with the fondest of memories. With love Mary Jones Mills