James Walker Butler

James W. Butler, 87, of Gulfport, MS passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2009. Mr. Butler was a native of New Orleans, LA and had moved to Gulfport, MS in 1981. He attended Gulf Coast Military Academy from 1935 to 1941 and graduated with the class of '41. He was president of the G. C. M. A. Alumni Association. During WW II he served in the Army for 1941 to 1946, attaining the rank of Captain. Mr. Butler was attached to the Fifth Marine Division and participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Upon returning home from the Pacific, he attended Tulane University and later joined the family business, "O K Storage and Transfer Co., Inc." in New Orleans, LA, Louisville, KY, Atlanta, GA, Miami, FL and Jackson, MS. In New Orleans, Mr. Butler was a member of Rotary Club, Pickwick Club and the New Orleans Country Club. He was also a member of Louisiana Lodge 102 in New Orleans, Polar Star Lodge 154, Gulfport, Scottish Rite Bodies and Commandery and Joppa Shrine Temple of Gulfport. Mr. Butler was active in the transportation of burned and crippled children to Shriner Hospitals and supported the hospitals. He participated in the Eye Foundation of Knights Templer and the Scottish Rite Speech and Therapy Program. Mr. Butler was a member of several carnival organizations and Veteran Groups. He was a communicant of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Gulfport and served on the Vestry and was Sunday School Superintendant, a Lay Eucharistic Minister and a graduate of the Education for Ministry program. Mr. Butler is preceded in death by his parents, George E. and Irene C. Butler of New Orleans, LA. He is survived by his wife, Valeta (Susie) Butler; daughter, Erin C. Smith; sons, Kevin W. Butler, John M. Butler and Randall Sutton; eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Visitation will be on Thursday, August 20, 2009 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Pass Road, West Biloxi. Funeral Services will be on Friday, August, 21, 2009 at 11:30 am at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Gulfport. Friends may visit from 10:30 am until service time. Interment will be in Biloxi National Cemetery. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com