Denom Butler

Calie Denom Butler (Denom), husband, father, grandfather, businessman, civic leader and devoted Christian, died on Monday, December 22, 2014 at the age of 71. He was born and reared in a farming family in rural Smith County, Mississippi. A 1961 graduate of Taylorsville High School, he was a 135-pound starting offensive lineman for the Tartars varsity football team. After high school graduation, Denom moved to Jackson where he was employed as a draftsman for Lester Engineering. This early experience in engineering drafting led to a long-term career at Engineering Associates where he eventually became the lead draftsman for the Firm. He was involved in many notable civil engineering and construction projects across Mississippi.

In 1963, Denom married his childhood sweetheart Billie Hough, also from Smith County, and soon thereafter established his new family in the area now known as Pearl. As a young father of two boys, he was very involved in the local Boys Club organization where he coached youth baseball and football. His role as a coach to his sons and the youth of Pearl was one of the many highlights of his life. His dedication to Pearl youth athletics shaped a generation of young men during the 1970s and 80s, many of whom fondly remember him as “Coach Butler” to this day. He also excelled in landscaping, which led to numerous “Pearl Yard of the Month” awards.

In 1981, Denom left Engineering Associates to pursue his passion for entrepreneurship by starting Butler Office Supply, a Pearl based small business that provided office supplies and printing services to the Jackson area. In his role as local businessman, he became very active in the Pearl community serving as both president of the Pearl Chamber of Commerce and the Pearl Public School District Board of Directors. During his time in these roles, one of his major achievements was his integral part in the initiation, planning and construction of Pearl’s new high school and football stadium, which opened in the fall of 1989 as one of the premier educational facilities in Mississippi. This and other civic efforts in which he was involved have had a lasting positive impact on the City of Pearl, for which he received the Chamber’s “Pillar of the Community Award” several times.

Upon retiring from Butler Office Supply in 2008, he devoted his time and energy to his church, his growing family of grandchildren and woodworking. As a deacon at Pearson Baptist Church he led efforts to build the church’s new fellowship hall and improve its facilities and grounds. As a grandfather, he served as head cheerleader for his five grandchildren and could be found on most weekends throughout the year on various golf courses, baseball and soccer fields around the State. His trademark kind demeanor, positive attitude and strong Christian faith have influenced all of those with whom he worked and interacted.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Verdia and Calie Butler, siblings Eric and Derol Butler all of Taylorsville and Faye McCory of Morton, MS. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Billie Butler of Pearl and sons Dr. Cary Butler and wife Sylvia of Clinton and Dr. Gary Butler and wife Kristen of Starkville and his five grandchildren Zachary Butler, Carson Butler, Caleb Butler, Clayton Butler and Maggie Butler.