DEVILLE, La. — Services celebrating the life of William J. “Joe” Butler Jr., 75, of Libuse, La., who died Monday, Aug. 26, 2013, at his residence, will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Open Door Community Church in Deville, La., with the Rev. Steve Scull and the Rev. Garland Ryder officiating.

Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home in Alexandria, La.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time Friday at the church.

Mr. Butler was a member and deacon of Open Door Community Church for a number of years. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother that will be deeply missed by those that knew and loved him.

Mr. Butler proudly served our country in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force. During his working life, he was a boilermaker and welder. He had a love for the outdoors which included hunting, fishing and woodworking.

He was preceded in death by one infant son, William Earl Butler; his parents, William J. Butler Sr. and Bertha Corban Butler; and one brother, David Albert “D.A.” Butler.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Mary Lofton Butler; two sons, Robby Butler and wife, Terry, of Vidalia, and Jimmy Butler and wife, Sarah, of Dallas; one brother, Thomas Wayne “Tommy” Butler and wife, Diane, of Gauthier; one sister, Berniece Ladner of Meadville; and three grandchildren, Julie Michelle Butler, William Jacob Butler and Mary Catherine Butler.

Pallbearers will be Dale Rawls, James Rodney, Mike Luty, Steve Martin, Ken Sterling, Jimmy Butler, Cpl. William Butler and Ernest Jordan.

Honorary pallbearers will be members and friends of the Open Door Community Church.

Online condolences may be sent to www.hixsonbrothers.com.