Steven Wimer Butler was born in Auburn, Ind., May 13, 1933, to Donald Woodford and Geraldine Wimer Butler. His richly blessed life ended on Sunday, Aug. 1. He was 88. He died in his sleep at his beautiful home in Pagosa Springs, Colo. Delores “Lola” Clementine Butler married him March 25, 1974. They had a combined family of three daughters and six sons: Jason Laydon, John Laydon (deceased, Lauren Laydon), Barbara Laydon (Chris Valdez), James Laydon (Debra Laydon), Jeffrey Laydon (Lora Laydon), Nathaniel Butler, Andrea Butler, Daniel Butler and Susan Macias. He is survived by 15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Steven graduated in 1957 from Purdue University. His degree in chemical/mechanical engineering set a path to Army Active Reserve/Signal Corp and sent him to Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colo. He then became a design engineer for Ideal Cement Co. and Miner Machine Co. His fun-loving creativity initiated the All Fun Co., his first business startup. He designed and manufactured board games and toys.
He also owned and operated Mile Hi Distributing Inc., where he learned Colorado was where he would make his home. His skills and designs made him an industry innovator early in the solar energy field with Solar Energy of the Rockies Inc. He had a brilliant ability to repurpose and recycle building materials to develop commercial and residential spaces. He was instrumental in designing and managing five salon businesses in the Denver area: Washington Headlines Inc. and, in 1992, Studio 160 Salon and Day Spa.
Steven built a small empire for many talented hairstylists to practice their profession and establish their careers. Always generous and quick to encourage, he would put people on a pedestal and help them find solutions for success. His was a competitor with a soft heart. He enjoyed the thrill of victory and defeat. His joy for the zest of life, peaks and valleys, trials and tribulations, victories and celebrations, always came with good humor and positive enthusiasm. His extensive world travels with his beloved Lola left a long, long, chain of friends and cherished memories. His adventures always made him appreciate Pagosa Springs, the great state of Colorado and the United States of America. His patriotism was strong and he cherished the blessings of liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
One of Steven’s great passions was dancing. Always the first on the floor, he and Lola won numerous contests and danced often with the dance community in Pagosa Springs. Early in his life, he was a competitive tennis player and climbed 14 of the Rocky Mountain Fourteeners. He designed and built his own Bocce Ball court in his yard and he was hard to beat. He was a tremendous health advocate and practiced many different healthwise regimes into his daily habits.
One of his habits was making lists. From daily tasks to life’s purpose, he made lists. He has a list for his favorite foods over the years and where he had them. How to encourage children.
Values, goals and aspirations. How to be a tourist in your own town. Random thoughts and metaphors, he made lists. All in his distinctive, meticulous handwritten script he made his thoughts in lists. Yet another virtue.
Steven would be the first to tell you that all this, and in all things, it is God’s plan and purpose. His walk with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was the highest priority. Being born again at Rocky Mountain Grace Camp in 1978 gave him that blessed hope to be with the Lord. He studied and memorized The Word of God. He did not fear death, he knew that he had an eternal reservation in Heaven that nothing could cancel. He was certain of his salvation and recognized the victory and justification he received through the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. 1 Thessolonians 4:13-14
“When you see and do the things I loved, you will remember me.”
Steven Wimer Butler
May 13, 1933-Aug. 1, 2021
Steven Wimer Butler
