James Butler, 80, of Oceanside, California, passed away at 7:17 pm December 24, 2021 at Nature Trail Health Care in Mount Vernon, Illinois.
Jim was born on March 10, 1941 in St Louis, Missouri to biological parents; Edna Jones Butler and Joseph Butler and raised parents, Edna Jones Butler Isaiah (Ike) Stovall and lived much of his childhood at Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. In 1958, at 17, he joined the United States Marine Corps where he spent twenty-one years, retiring as a Gunnery Sergeant and settling in California. During his three tours in Vietnam, Jim was awarded six Purple Hearts and earned numerous metals, including the Silver Star. He served in the California Sheriff’s department and formed a security company to give local youth the opportunity to provide protection for local homes and businesses and the Butler Bail Recovery Agency. Relocating to Texas, Jim coached the boxing team at the Marine Military Academy. His team’s efforts earned them the team trophy at the Golden Gloves. Moving to Mount Vernon, Illinois, he started a Young Marines detachment, Operations Your Choice and Police Athletic League Boxing Team. He served on the Board of Directors for the Young Marines. Jim was very active in his faith, lastly with Saint Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1959. He is a member of the local VFW and American Legion.James is survived by his wife of over forty years, Patricia Butler; brothers, Louis, Ronald, Ernest, and Collier; children, James II, Jonathan, James Michael, Catherine, Jessica, James III; 25+ grandchildren; 15+ great grandchildren; and multiple adopted (unofficial) children and grandchildren. James was preceded in death by his brother Joseph; children, Christopher and Christina.
A Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 29, 2021 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am at Saint Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mount Vernon, Illinois. A Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 am with Father Nick Junker officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Memorials may be made in James’s honor to American Cancer Society or Alzheimer’s Association.Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.