Celebrating former Mayor Butler's life

AUSTIN (KXAN) - To the strains of America the Beautiful and Going Home, 1,000 Austinites bid farewell to a man many referred to simply as "Mayor Wonderful."

Former Austin Mayor Roy Butler died on Nov. 13 after complications from a fall. He was 83 and served as mayor from 1971 to 1975.

"He'll be remembered by many people, and already is, as Austin's best mayor," said Lee Leffingwell who assumed the mayor's post in June.

Butler served at a pivotal point in Austin's history, when the city was transitioning from a town focused on UT and state government, into a more diverse economy.

"He did it in such a way that the transition was almost seamless," said State Senator Kirk Watson who served as mayor from 1997 to 2001. "I think he set the stage for Austin's economy to be as strong as it is and at the same time allow for Austin to maintain the wonderful feel we all enjoy."

Former state senator Gonzalo Barrientos echoed the sentiments.

"He was a strong, firm mayor who was fair to all of the people, and helped to build the Austin that we have today." said Barrientos.

Monsignor Fred Bomar led the memorial service held at the LBJ Library Auditorium on the UT campus. He reflected on Butler's life as a "statesman, entrepreneur, benefactor, philanthropist, visionary." but adding, "He never lost his common touch."

An Austin Police Department honor guard greeted friends and family as they entered the auditorium. Chief Art Acevedo was an honorary pallbearer. The pair's relationship was warmed by the fact that Butler was a longtime supporter of law enforcement.

"I recently appointed him to the new public safety commission," said Mayor Leffingwell. "He was very excited about that."

Longtime friend Ralph Wayne eulogized Butler.

"He was born in Texas, but you don't see people like this anymore," said Wayne. "What a rare breed of humorous and outgoing yet serious man living amongst us all these years. He had a sure sense of what was the right thing to do and what wasn't."

Former Mayor Bruce Todd also eulogized Butler, saying he always sought his counsel.

"Roy did not always agree with my approach to a particular issue," said Todd. "But not once, even when we disagreed, did he fail to offer me sound advice on how to solve those problems."

Butler spent nine years on the Austin School Board before being elected mayor. Todd said those contributions to our community have been overlooked, and he issued a challenge to the current board.

"To see that an AISD school named after Roy Butler," Todd said. The idea was greeted with a round of applause.