Robert Neal Butcher

Robert "Bob" Neal Butcher, of Troy, Michigan, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on January 12, 2026, at the age of 86.
Bob was born on April 24, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan, to Thomas and Ann (Jess) Butcher, and became a younger brother to his sister, Carol (Butcher) Bodary. Bob attended St. Casimir High School, where he met the love of his life, Jeannette "Jay" Bryja. He was a loyal and loving husband, uncle, father, grandfather, and soon to be great grandfather, as well as a devout Catholic.
Bob married his high school sweetheart, Jay, on April 23, 1960. They were happily married for 65 years - a lifetime filled with love, family, and laughter. Together, they had 5 children, or as Bob would say it - "4 domestic and 1 import", followed by a chuckle. Judith "Judy", Jeannette "Honey", Thomas, Robert, and Mei-Mei. He also has 9 grandchildren: Thomas, Alexandra, Gabrielle, Sabrina, Victoria, Zachary, Nova, Veronica, and Jackson.
He was an entrepreneur and became a business owner at a young age, where he started Paper Party Place - a beloved party supply store that specialized in party supplies and balloon decorating. This was a true family business, where Bob's wife, children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren worked alongside him to make every customer's party special and well decorated.
He enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, like spending time with his family and having parties in the backyard, playing games with his children while manning the grill. You could also find him relaxing in his recliner watching sports, historical documentaries, or game shows like Jeopardy and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. You could also find him in his van while making balloon deliveries listening to talk radio or bobbing his head to Bob Seger. He also found great enjoyment "chauffeuring" his children, grandchildren, and their friends, as he was able to ask trivia questions - like state capitals.
In his later years, he bravely battled kidney disease. We ask in lieu of flowers, you make a donation to the National Kidney Foundation to support research and advocacy, so fewer families have to go through losing a loved one to this disease.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Jeannette; his daughter Judith and her children Victoria, Alexandra and husband Gunner; his daughter Jeannette and husband Tommy, and children Zachary and Nova; son Thomas and wife Janet, and children Thomas, Gabrielle and husband Jarrod; son Robert and wife Cynthia, and children Sabrina, Veronica, and Jackson; and daughter Mei-Mei and fiancé David.
Visitation will be held at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home (1368 Crooks Rd, Clawson, MI 48017) on Monday, January 19, 2026, from 4:00pm-7:00pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Name Catholic Church (630 Harmon St, Birmingham, MI 48009), Tuesday 10:00am with visitation beginning at 9:30am. Reception to follow.