Obituary of Dr. William Butler

Nashville - Dr. William Blaine ”Billy” Butler, age 71, passed away on January 11, 2019, surrounded by family.  He was born on April 8, 1947, in Huntingdon, TN, the son of the late Hugh Butler and Virgie Lene Parker Butler.  During his early teens, Billy relocated to Pittsburgh, Pa. to live with his beloved aunt, Madeline Butler Waller and her husband, Dr. Wilvor Waller.  He was encouraged to pursue academic excellence and graduated number one in a class of 300 from Westinghouse High School.  He attended the University of Pittsburgh and later transferred to Tennessee State University where he graduated with honors.   After his graduation, he entered the School of Dentistry at Meharry Medical College and graduated in 1973 as the number one ranking student in his class.  Following a brief period as an instructor in the Department of Prosthodontics, he pursued professional studies in Restorative Dentistry with emphasis in Fixed Prosthodontics at the University of Michigan and earned the Master of Science in 1977.  He returned to Meharry in the position of Assistant Professor in the Department of Prosthodontics in 1978 and three years later began a part-time dental practice with his brother, Dr. George Butler.  He progressed in his career in the School of Dentistry becoming Associate Professor, Professor, Chairman, Associate Dean and ultimately Dean.  His leadership is credited with engineering the tremendous strides the School gained during the 10 years he was at the helm.  He retired from Meharry in 2012 as Dean and Professor Emeritus.  After his retirement from Meharry he continued his private practice in prosthodontics until his death.  He was a diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics, a life member and past president of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental Society, and a fellow of the American College of Prosthodontists. 

He was a charter member of Metropolitan Interdenominational Church where he was active for more than 38 years serving on the Church Council and in many other leadership positions.  Billy enjoyed fishing, bird watching, gardening, traveling, photography and spending time with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Hugh L. Butler and nephew George Butler, Jr.  He leaves to cherish his memory, his mother, Virgie Lene Butler, three devoted siblings, brothers, Dr. George (Donnetta) Butler, Wilvor (Vickie) Butler, sister, Virgie (Dr. Tommy) Dorsey; nephews, Stephen (Lamona) Butler, Dr. T. J. Dorsey,II, Kendall, Taylour, and Parker Butler; nieces, Martina (Lamont) McClain and Tia Sneed; grandnieces, grandnephew, the beloved staff of Butler Dental Office,  other relatives and  a host of friends.

Visitation with the family will be held on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, from 5-7 pm at Metropolitan Interdenominational Church, 2128 11^th Ave. N., Nashville, TN.  37208.  Alpha Phi Alpha Omega Service will begin at 6:40pm.  A visitation will be held on Sat. Jan. 19, 2019, from 10-11 am at Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church, 1203 9^th Avenue N. and a Celebration of His Life Service will follow.  Entombment will be at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 660 Thompson Ln., Nashville, Tn. 37204.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Meharry Medical College for the Dr. William B. Butler Endowed Scholarship Fund, Attn. Gift Management Services, Hulda Margaret Lytle Hall, 1005 Dr. D. B. Todd Blvd., Nashville, TN.  37208, or online: https://registration.mmc.edu/giving.html.