The world changed when Joseph T. Butler, Jr. was born on July 14, 1936. This baby boy grew into a big hearted man who embraced challenges with fierceness and resolve. Playing football at West High School groomed him to be an avid Ute fan that yelled out plays at football and basketball games. Graduating from the University of Utah launched him into a career of insurance sales where he excelled as General Agent of the Aetna Life and Casualty Company.
He would say his greatest accomplishment was his children: Todd Butler, Tracie Judd (Steve), Richard Butler (Nikki) and the perfect grandchildren: Taggert Butler (Alba), Hampton Butler (Jack Spicer), George Butler (Brynn), LuLu Butler, Ruby Butler, Posie Butler and great grandchildren: Enzo and Isa Butler. He joyfully embraced Gabriella Giaquinto as his step-daughter and her husband Jesse Hubbard who won the title of Favorite Son-in-Law. A special grandson, Van Hubbard, kicked a soccer field goal in honor of Joe on the day Joe passed into eternity. Not to be confined to Butler “blue blood lines”, Joe embraced Greg Hjartarson and Chris Stodghill as special sons who cared for him deeply.
Joe felt like he had joined the circus when he married Sharon in March, 1994. Their marriage years were filled with laughter, intriguing conversations, quiet moments, and world travel. Their motto that formed their marriage is “We are one” which will endure into eternity.
Joe was wisdom, world perspective, a rock in a storm, acceptance of people with an understanding that was astonishing, and a cryptic sense of humor filled with “Butlerisms” which will be forever stored in the family treasure chest. He embraced the Catholic faith by Baptism in September, 2025 and was given the special Anointing of the Sick the day before he passed. St. Joseph came for him on April 28, 2026 to relieve him of all of his physical suffering. Now heaven will be forever changed by his presence.
A vigil service will be held on Wednesday, May 6 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1375 East Spring Lane, Salt Lake City. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, May 7th at 11:00 AM, also at St. Vincent de Paul. He will be laid at Mount Olivet Cemetery.
