Donald William Butters, 84, passed away on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2025, at UPMC Williamsport Hospital.
Donald was born in Williamsport on November 2, 1940, to the late Mary Agnes (Hiller) and Matthew Paul Butters. Don’s loving wife of 67 years, Suzie, preceded him in death on March 24, 2025. He has one surviving brother, Paul Butters of Williamsport. He attended Williamsport Area High School before entering the Navy on November 5, 1957. He loved the Navy and completed four years of Active Duty onboard USS Holder (DDE 819) before transferring to Reserve Duty at Williamsport Reserve Center where he completed 27 additional years for a total of 31 years, reaching the rank of Boatswain Mate Chief Petty Officer onboard the USS Jesse L. Brown (FF-1089). His reserve time was highlighted by numerous Damage Control Olympics titles in Philadelphia. He enjoyed playing baseball as a kid and then led softball teams from the Reserve Center and Jesse L. Brown. He worked for AM International as a machinist servicing printing presses and copying machines. After their closing, he went out on his own to continue his service to the community. Following his reserve duty, he took great pride in maintaining the Navy motor whaleboat, taking it out on the Susquehanna River, and entering it in local parades.
When the kids were growing up, Don taught them how to be team members in the house by making them do the dishes, mow the lawn, help build the garage, and shovel the walks. He enjoyed teaching them how to do push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups and entertaining them by walking around the house on his hands! Don loved gardening and tinkering with and fixing things in the garage. He could fix anything; he was their MacGyver! Up until the pandemic, Donnie enjoyed meeting the guys for coffee every morning. And he always loved to dance, and his family loved dancing with him!
Surviving are Don and Suzie’s five children: Barbara Hoover (Craig) of South Williamsport and their children, Terra Deyo (Chris), Troy Winner, Jessica Stansberry (Jay), and Justin Hoover (Kerry); Jim Butters (Jeanie) of Jacksonville, FL and their children, Tina Helium (Cody) and Robert Oehler (Jamie); Joni Perchinski (Frank) of Montoursville and their children, Heather Higgins (Robert) and Joshua Perchinski (Lauren); Laurie Crane (Kevin) of Cogan Station and their children, Samantha Solomon (Kyle), Marissa Baux (Matthew), and Jessica Crane; Todd Butters (Michelle Dorin) of Williamsport and his son, Andrew Butters; fourteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members and dear friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert, Richard, and Ronald, and grandsons, Stephen Butters and Matthew Perchinski.
The family wants to thank Don’s extended family of caregivers for the phenomenal care they’ve given over the last three years.
A viewing will be held from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at Faith United Methodist Church, 700 Fairview Drive, Montoursville. A funeral service to honor the life of Donnie will be held at 1:00 p.m. A graveside service with military honors will follow at Wildwood Cemetery, Williamsport.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) 2111 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 401, Arlington, VA 22201 or the SPCA.
Online condolences may be made on Donnie’s memorial page at http://www.SandersMortuary.com
