Roger D. Butler, 69, of Chicago, IL passed away on September 8, 2024, of lung disease and complications following a transplant.

Roger was born on November 15, 1954 in Blytheville, AR to William Otis Butler and Virginia Bowers. He moved to the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago in the early 1960s.

After high school, Roger learned the painting and carpentry trades, eventually starting his own residential and commercial painting business. He took tremendous pride in his work and held a well-deserved reputation as a master tradesman.

An avid Cubs and Bears fan, he lived for the past 35 years in Wrigleyville, where he was loved by the many friends who admired him for his gregarious and jovial personality. He was particularly fond of his friends made over the years at the Nisei Lounge, and was considered by many to be a pillar of the neighborhood.

Always quick with a joke, he loved to make people laugh and brightened the room with his upbeat presence. Roger loved movies, particularly classic B horror films. He looked forward every year to putting together a new Halloween costume to entertain and surprise his friends and family, even if it meant shaving off his trademark mustache to nail the part.

Roger was a devoted father to his son, Jesse R. Butler (39), and was incredibly proud of seeing Jesse become the first in his family to graduate college, then law school, and to see him go on to become an attorney. He was also a beloved grandfather to Bennett F. Butler (7), with whom he shared a close connection. True to his nature, he maintained a friendship with Nita Flores, his ex-wife and mother of his son, and was loved by her family.

In 2013, he met Karen Hayden, and they quickly fell in love. They had been engaged since 2022. He was a devoted partner to her and had planned to retire with her to Florida in the near future. A pediatric ICU nurse, Karen remained steadfast by his side throughout Roger's battle against pulmonary fibrosis.

Roger is survived by fiancé (Karen), son (Jesse), grandson (Bennett), daughter-in-law (Sierra), sister (Debbie Blankenship), and by the many friends and extended family who will remember him fondly.

Roger did not desire a funeral or wake. The family will hold a celebration of life with details to follow. In lieu of flowers, his family welcomes donations to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation in Roger's name.