James Howard Butler

Funeral service for James Howard Butler, 86, of Nacogdoches will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at Laird Funeral Home.  Interment will follow at Jacob's Chapel Cemetery.  Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 1:00pm at Laird Funeral Home.

James Howard Butler, of Woden, TX  passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026 in Nacogdoches, TX. He was 86 years of age.

James was born on May 27, 1939 to his loving parents, Emory Ray and Ancel Feazell Butler, of Woden, TX. 

He attended grade school and graduated from Woden High School, after which he enlisted into the United States Navy and served for 20 years. During his military career, he was in the company of the U.S.S. Forrestal. It was the United States' first commissioned supercarrier, being that it was the largest carrier yet built, measuring nearly 950 feet in length, and the first designed to support jet aircraft.

While he served in the Navy, he joined the military shooting club, where he became a skilled marksman and he won competitions for pistol and rifle categories.

After his military career, he was employed with Lockheed Martin for many years until the time he retired. 

He was an established member of the Masonic Lodge, a fraternity of Freemasons. Their fellowship of brotherhood encourages it’s members to live by high ethical standards, including integrity, kindness, and honesty, and assists in charitable acts in the community.

He will be recognized for his dedication, by receiving a ceremony of The Last Rites, to be given during this service.

In the later years of his life, James Howard continued to stay active, by enjoying his hobby of square dancing.  He participated in square dance competitions in Nevada and in Texas, near the Nacogdoches area. His other hobbies were reading classic Western novels and watching classic Western movies.

James was a member of Woden Baptist Church, where he attended service every Sunday until the time he was physically unable to. 

He was a man who loved The Lord, and he loved his family. He would always greet family and friends with a sincere hug, and sometimes a nice compliment by saying “Hey young man” or “Hey good looking”. 

James is preceded in death by his sister Susie and his brothers G.W., Jerry, Billy Ray, Bobby Lynn, and John David. He is survived by his sister, Lou Herrod and his brother Charles. He is the father of James Jr. “Jamie” Butler and William “Billy” Butler. He had many nieces and nephews that he enjoyed visiting with at family gatherings.

May he Rest in Peace.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Woden Baptist Church and/or to Jacobs Chapel Cemetery.

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