Ryan P. Butler

Man. Here i am again. I grew up with Ryan, we actually both lived on the same street, but several blocks down from each other. Ryan was incredible guy, fun to be around.

When we were in jr. high, a group of us boys started a small 1 on 1 basketball tournament, that we did for several years. I think the first year we did it, it was hosted at Ryan's house, and so we called it the 1st annual rockway invitation. Due to Ryan's driveway being rock, not concrete. Each of us, came to the tournament with a self designed jersey. I remember when Ryan was getting ready to play his match; he came out on the court (the rocks) and played some song thru the boombox, and rips off his warmup shirt, and exposes his homemade Jalen Rose jersey. It was sweet, he had drawn this rose on the back of this tshirt that had its sleeves ripped off. I remember thinking to myself, "who is jalen rose?". I had come with a jersey my mom made of Shaq with puffy paint.

As you will see below, Ryan was an incredible pitcher and ball player. I always hated to be on his team, because that meant in practice I had to bat against him. Ryan was left-handed and I bat left-handed. Not a good combination.

PAWNEE - Ryan P. Butler, 30, of Pawnee died Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, in Meredosia.

He was born Sept. 1, 1977, in Springfield, the son of Laurel Deon and Billie Sue Clements Butler. He attended Pawnee High School, Marissa High School and Lincoln Land Community College.

Ryan was a member of Pawnee Assembly of God Church. He also played in the CIL League. When he was 16 years old, Ryan received special invitations for tryouts with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Braves major league baseball teams.

Survivors include his parents, Laurel and Billie Sue Butler of Pawnee; a brother, Tracey D. Butler of Mount Vernon; a sister, Lisa S. (husband, Jerry) Newquist of Auburn; a niece; three nephews; and aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family will meet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, at Pawnee Assembly of God Church. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, at Pawnee Assembly of God Church, with the Rev. A.B. Bennett officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville.

Memorials may be made to the Butler family to assist with funeral expenses or to the Pawnee Food Pantry.

Curry Funeral Home in Pawnee is in charge of arrangements.

ryan's state journal register guestbook
wand tv article
state journal register article