Thu
Nov 29 2007
12:21 pm

East Tennessee has lost a great man. Dr. William O. (Bill) Butler passed away Tuesday. His love for his patients was unsurpassed even though some of them kicked him and bit him. He was there for so many of my family's crises down through the years.

He was much more than our vet, he was our dear friend.

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bizgrrl's picture

It is always sad to hear

It is always sad to hear another good person leaves this earth. Vets definitely have a special place in our hearts. Happy trails, Dr. Butler.

CBT's picture

I remember his wife Josie

I remember his wife Josie telling me once that she knew what kind of marriage it would be when he went to birth cattle (or maybe it was a horse) on the morning of their wedding. Bill Butler was a special person, from treating animals large and small, giving or finding thousands of pets a home and providing the petting zoo at the TVA&I Fair from his own farm animals.

Take a look back when his house burned. If I recall correctly, the community raised enough money to build him a new one. He was loved and appreciated by many.

redmondkr's picture

My mother was settling up

My mother was settling up with him once about a cat she had lost. He told her that he made most of his money on his large animal work for farmers. Years later I talked to one of his farmers who said he had told him just the opposite, that he made most of his money on the small animals at the clinic.

He never turned an animal away and he adopted many "hopeless" cases as his own either to live on his farm or to greet patients there at the clinic. You were as likely to be greeted by a duck wandering around the waiting area as that big friendly Doberman.

He had a great deal of pain the last few years, but his work seemed to be his therapy, and none of this would have been possible without the love and help of Josie and the children.


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Wearybottom Associates

Thag13's picture

East Tennessee has lost a great man.

Our entire extended family has been going to Doc Butler for years.

When our beloved Paws and Patches were too sick to be treated, My wife took them there.

Mrs Thag was allowed to stay in the back and hold them while the injection was done. My wife said it really helped with the closure.

Surely, the good Lord has a special place for men and women like Doc Butler.....

No Matter Where you go, There you Are!!!!

lennisw's picture

Dr. Butler was great!

I drove buy Dr. Butler's old clinic the other day on Oak Rdge hwy, and the field was empty where the goats, and lamas and at least one pot bellied pig use to graze and play. All was empty and quite. The clinic was dark and closed.
I remember thinking that the animals and birds had lost a true friend when he passed away. If kindness to God's innocents is a pathway to heaven, I know where Dr. Butler is now. I once worked at an apartment complex in west knoxville, and found five abandoned and starving kittens.I took them to Doc, because someone had told me about him. He took them in and started careing for them on the spot.
It is rare to run into a man who cared more for doing the right thing than for his own pocket book. Doc could have made several times the money he did if he didn't have such a good heart. This world is a sadder, and more heartless place now. I feel honored to have met him.

cmreynaud's picture

All God's Creatures Great and Small

All God's Creatures Great and Small are mourning the loss of their patron saint.

Doc was always generous to me, as he was to everyone who genuinely cared for their pets. Doc always extended credit to me when I couldn't afford to pay for the many cats, dogs, goats and one turtle that I have brought to him over the years. Doc saved the life of my Chesapeake Bay Retreiver when 3 other vets in this town told me there was nothing wrong with him or wanted to charge me hundreds of dollars to run the same tests as the one before. It is a sad day as there are no other vets like him. He will be terribley missed.

Mrs. Butler and family, God Bless you and keep you. May your grief be brief as you rest in the joy of knowing that Doc is sitting at the head of the table of God's great gifts to this earth.

Karen Edwards's picture

One of the True Heroes

I've known Doc since I was 16 and he was a young man with small children, way back in 1966. Doc has always been a real hero -- so generous, kind, a wonderful vet and a wonderful friend. If the world had more people like him it would be a much happier place.

Mrs. B and family, so very very sorry.

Jennifer 's picture

dr. butler

i have always brought my animals to him i will never get to anyone else except his son now

Nobody's picture

Doc

The son is not like his dad. Doc was one of a kind. I loved him very much. He had a calling not a job. THERE IS NO REPLACING HIM. HE WAS A GREAT MAN WHEN NO ONE WAS LOOKING. EXCEPT GOD.WE LOST A RARE TREASURE. I STILL CRY BECAUSE HE HAS PASSED ON.I FEEL BLESSED TO HAVE KNOWN SUCH A GOOD MAN.

Jana Bunch's picture

Loss of a great man

My sympathy you have. Dr. Butler, and his son have helped me out so much in my life with my pets. I know he's a wonderful man. We love you Dr. Butler!!

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