William "Butch" Phillip Shively

William “Butch” Phillip Shively, 82, a longtime Independence resident, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on February 4, 2022, with his beloved Karlene and daughter, Susan by his side. With Karlene next to him, he had lovingly met with each of his children leaving them with a message of Hope in Jesus. He declared that he was a Christian and ready to go home and that he would be waiting for them.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 am, followed by a service celebrating Butch’s life at 11:00 am, on Saturday, February 12, at Floral Hills Funeral Home, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO. Burial will follow in Floral Hills Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Englewood Church, Independence, MO.

Butch was born October 8, 1939, in Kansas City, MO, the first of three children of William “Bill” Ollie and Rosetta “Becky” (Beck) Shively. Along with his father, he was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Gary King.

Butch and Karlene met in Vacation Bible School in 1953. Butch joined the Army in the Spring of 1958 and while home on leave, married Karlene on July 18, 1958. Butch would serve three years in the Army.

Butch worked for just over 37 years for Kansas City Power and Light. He was a Tree Trimmer for most of those years until he moved to Line Clearance Supervisor and stayed in that role until his retirement in 1999.

Butch and Karlene were members of Berean Baptist Church in Kansas City, MO where Butch also served as Worship Leader. Butch with Karlene most recently attended Englewood Church in Independence, MO.

Survivors include his mother, Rosetta “Becky” Shively, his beloved wife of 63 years, Karlene; their children, Will Shively (Nancy), Susan King, Doug Shively (Gina Whitcomb) and Ethan Shively (April). He was affectionately called "Papa" by his grandchildren, Lindsay De Geer (Sebastian), Luke Shively (Maria), Kimber Begulia (Nick), Katey King, Kennedy King (Matt Elder), Lynne Shively, Logan Shively, Tempe Shively, David Edwards, and Isabel Edwards; and great grandchildren, Svea De Geer, Kariker Shively, and soon to arrive Hadleigh Elder. He also leaves his siblings, Robert “Bob” Shively (Sandra) and Linda Saunders (Jim), as well as numerous other loved ones.