Lillian Sonny (Presley) Butler

February 5, 1912 - December 4, 2012

Lillian Margaret (Presley) Butler (Sonny as she was known to family and close friends) was born in Tucker, Oklahoma, on February 5, 1912, and passed away on December 4, 2012, in Collinsville, Oklahoma. Born the third daughter of William H. and Annabelle Presley, the family eventually relocated to Sand Springs where Sonny graduated high school. She played basketball for Sand Springs High School as well as for Tulsa Business College and was considered an outstanding athlete. Sonny worked from many years as a secretary, first at Sears as personal secretary to the store manager and later as a secretary at Galbreath Insurance Agency. She retired from Galbreath in 1965. During her working career, Sonny was a member of Insurance Women's Association, serving one term as president. In 1935 she married Don Dollar, who preceded her in death in 1962. She married Wertal Butler in 1963. They made their home in Skiatook until his death in 1993. Sonny continued to live in the home they shared until 2010. Sonny and Wertal were members of the First Baptist Church of Skiatook for many years, and she maintained her active membership after his death attending weekly services until she was no longer physically able to do so. Sonny was initiated into the Order of the Eastern Star in 1946. She was a member of both Tuloma and Magic City chapters. One of the highlights of her membership in Eastern Star was serving as Grand Esther for the state of Oklahoma in 1973. She served a term as president of Grand Representatives Association of Oklahoma and was a member of the Past Appointed Grand Officers Club. After her marriage to Wertal, she became active in the Akdar Shrine as a member of the Greeterettes and Daughters of the Nile. She devoted countless hours to fund raising projects for the Shriners children's hospitals. Sonny was preceded in death by sisters Sue Barnes, Willie Ansley, and Mary Holton, and stepson Walter Butler. Survivors include sister Vada Warlick of San Marcos, California, brother William H. Presley, Jr., of Tyler, Texas; stepson Don Butler and wife DeEtta of Skiatook, daughter-in-law Samma Butler of Dallas, Texas, grandsons Bruce Butler and wife Kim of Dallas, Brett Butler of Houston, Brian Butler and wife Michelle of Tulsa, and Jason Butler and wife Stephanie of Tulsa, nine great grandchildren, Colton Butler, Katie Butler, Zachary Butler, Mason Butler, Savanna Butler, all of Tulsa, and Blaire Butler and Brooke Butler of Dallas, and Blake Butler and Brandon Butler of Houston, nephews William Ansley of Overland Park, Kansas, and William H. Presley III, of Tyler, Texas, as well as a host of other nephews, nieces, and friends.