Sidney Lanier Butler
Sidney Lanier Butler was born on December 26, 1942 in Mount Pleasant, Tennessee to the late Sterling Butler, Sr. and Inez Wainwright. He was the second youngest son of nine children. On Wednesday morning October 25, 2023 in the city Parma, Ohio Sidney went home to be with the Lord.
He graduated from Clarke High School in Mount Pleasant in 1961. Sidney loved sports and spent his high school years playing football and baseball. His love for the games would carry throughout the rest of his life. He participated in many work and recreational leagues to continue his passions. He also was an avid bowler. Sidney enjoyed success in that arena as well bowling perfect games for his teams.
He married Bernice Baker in 1968. Together they had two children, Brian (Deceased) and Hadiya (Everett). Later in life he married Glenda Johnson. Glenda had two daughters that Sidney helped raise as his own, Malana and Janeta. These two young ladies made Sidney a Grandfather of six grandchildren Anthony, Brandon and Jack (Malana) Raaqim, Ayahanna and Aayan (Janeta).
Sidney had an illustrious work history. He was employed at White Motors and Ramsey Laboratories. He started working for the US Post Office in the 1990s, from which he retired. In his retirement Sidney enjoyed tinkering and fixing items. He would later go on to reselling these vintage goods.
Sidney was a talented singer. He performed shows in Tennessee, Ohio, and California. He was best known for his Sam Cooke tribute performances. Notably, he recorded a CD, “Sidney Butler – Live at the House of Blues”, which was released in 2011. His music can still be found on platforms such as YouTube and Spotify today. He also became a Mason and was a proud member of Excelsior Lodge # 11 in Cleveland, Ohio where he was able to pursue his other passions of brotherhood, service and stewardship.
He leaves to mourn his Sister Lena, Daughter Hadiya, Step-Daughters Malana and Janeta as well as a host of grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
We are thankful to the Lord our God for the precious time we had with our loving brother, father, grandfather and uncle, Sidney.
“My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.”
Exodus 33:14