POLICE LIFEGUARD LYLE W. BUTLER

SDPD 07/02/1942 - PENDING

03/17/1925 - 07/20/2017

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THE THIN BLUE LINE

Lyle W. Butler, a native San Diegan, passed away peacefully July 20, 2017 at age 92. Perhaps being born on St. Patrick's Day and part Irish contributed to the luck of him having a fulfilling and rich long life.

Lyle spent his early years in Mission Beach during the Great Depression. He frequently said those days were the best days of his life. One of the many stories he told was of how he would hop over the fence at night at Belmont Park and search under the rollercoaster for coins that fell out of the rider's pockets because he knew just the right spot. Later he attended Loma Portal Elementary, and graduated from Point Loma High in 1943. Lyle was an enthusiastic swimmer and surfer, one of the few who was well known at that time in the Ocean Beach and the Sunset Cliffs areas. Summer of '42 he was a lifeguard in Pacific Beach.

During WWII he served aboard three battleships as a Seagoing Marine in the South Pacific arena. Most notably, he was an orderly to the legendary Rear Admiral Oscar Badger aboard the Iowa which is permanently berthed in Long Beach.

Returning to civilian life in 1945 Lyle attended San Diego State College. He made lifelong friends at Sigma Chi fraternity. Two years later, he joined his father, Corney and brother, Neil and established Butler Realty. With his admirable work ethic, charm and integrity, Lyle was a trusted and respected Real Estate businessman for over 50 years. He developed properties in the Midway and Chula Vista areas.

In 1948 Lyle married his high school sweet heart, Marylyn Stevenson of Ocean Beach with whom he shared 50 years of commitment until her passing in 1998. They lived in Point Loma where they raised two children.

Too numerous to name, Lyle participated in a wide variety of clubs and community organizations. He was a Charger ticket holder for over 40 years and supported Aztec football as well. He traveled extensively but happily contended that San Diego was the best place on earth.

Later in life, Lyle was fortunate to find love a second time, and in 2007 married Bonnie Brauel with whom he shared a wonderful and affectionate marriage for 10 years.

As a friend, father, a grandfather and a husband Lyle was literally the best. He was a treasure to all who knew him, hence the nickname "Mr.Wonderful".The generosity and love he gave his children and grandchildren was inspirational. He will be deeply missed and loved forever.

Lyle was predeceased by his brother, Neil. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his daughter, Patricia Butler; son, Peter; son-in-law, Jim Seman; and daughter-in-law, Wendy Butler; grand-daughters Liz and Katie Seman.

A faithful follower of Christ, Lyle was the last remaining Charter member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church where he was active for 80 years.