Dewayne “Butch” Loren Williams, 81, of Centralia, passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia. He was born on March 30, 1944, in Salem, the son of Roger Dewayne and Lucille Marie (Steevens) Williams. He married Cathy Miller on July 4, 1992, in Centralia, and she survives him in Centralia.
Along with his wife of 33 years, Cathy Williams, survivors that will remember Butch as a man you could always count on include his beloved family, his son, Ethan Williams (wife Lynette); cherished grandchildren, Adelyn Williams and Emily Toennies (husband Devon); precious great-grandchildren, Avery and Brylee Toennies; brothers, Eddie Brubaker (wife Joni), Steve Williams, and Steven Williams (wife Theresa); nieces and nephews, Angela Horst, Clayton Williams, Courtney Quinnett, Linsey Rawlings, Michael Williams, Mikayla Williams, Morgan Brubaker, Scott Lagroso, Stephen Williams, and Troy Williams; and a host of extended family members and friends.
Butch was preceded in death by his parents, Roger and Lucille Williams; stepmother, Francis Williams; and his children, Josh Williams and Stephanie Williams.
After graduating from Salem High School, Butch worked for the Railroad’s car shop in Centralia. At the age of twenty-five, he was drafted into the United States Army, serving in Vietnam. When he came back to the states, Butch’s personality and positive attitude led to much success selling insurance to grateful clients in central Illinois. An exciting turn of events found Butch with the opportunity to caddy in the late 1980’s, and he continued to caddy at the professional level for almost 25 years. As a PGA caddy, Butch spent over two decades traveling to every state in the U.S., as well as Aruba, Canada, and Europe. He was more than just a bag carrier; he was a trusted advisor and a master storyteller with a lifetime of adventures to share. He brought that same spirit back to Centralia as the owner of the Caddy Shack. Butch loved conversation and he never met a stranger.
Butch was a proud Centralian and extremely active in the community he loved. He was a member of the Centralia VFW Post 2055, the American Legion Post 446, the Centralia Elks, and the Disabled American Veterans. He was one of the Centralia Orphans’ most supportive fans, cheering them on to victory at every opportunity. Butch was a man of patriotism who loved his country and was supportive of his fellow veterans. He shared smiles, laughter, and good stories freely and had the uncanny gift of making everyone feel included and seen. Butch loved his family without abandon, striving to be an example of hard work, perseverance and unconditional love. He was a true legend who will be deeply missed and never forgotten.
Military Rites by the Centralia VFW Post 2055, and the American Legion Post 446 will begin Butch’s celebration of life service, which will be held at 5:00 p.m. April 9, 2026, at the Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia. All who attend are encouraged to share their favorite stories of Butch during the service. Family and friends are invited to a time of visitation from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Private burial will follow at a later date at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis. Memorials may be made in Butch’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Online condolences and memories of Butch may be shared with his family by visiting maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.
