Todd Butler

Todd Butler of Decatur was diagnosed with Behcet's Disease and died Sunday, October 3, from complications of the illness. His body was donated to the Anatomy Gifts Registry in Maryland. He was a native of Atlanta and attended Northside School for the Performing Arts. He earned his fine arts degree in drawing and painting at the Ernest G. Welch School of Art and Design at Georgia State University.  Through his finely detailed paintings and illustrations, he was able to capture and translate a range of emotion with humor as an underlying theme. He also worked as a professional musician for many years in playing in the top East Coast venues. His keen ear for sound allowed him to master every instrument he picked up.  Primarily a guitarist, composer and vocalist, he played with Smoke, Opal Foxx Quartet, Wee Wee Pole, Ratchet Set and Big Sissy.  With his extensive collection of found audio, he was a primary contributor to WFMU radio's Audio Kitchen program in New Jersey. One of the greatest joys of his life was becoming a father.  As a stay-at-home dad, he was able to share his creative gifts with his 3-year-old daughter Katherine Veronica (Kitty). Todd is survived by his wife, Claire Butler of Decatur, GA; daughter, Katherine (Kitty) Butler of Decatur, GA; mother, Betty Butler of Decatur, GA; brother, Jack Butler of Chamblee, GA; sister, Bonnie Klein of Jerusalem, Israel; and nephews, Casey Butler of Chamblee, GA, Mackenzie Butler of Chamblee, GA and Levi Klein of Berkeley, CA.  A memorial service will be held at 7:30 PM Wednesday, October 6, at the chapel of A. S. Turner and Sons with the Reverend James Parker officiating.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Ernest G. Welch School of Art and Design at Georgia State University or to WFMU radio at www.wfmu.org. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 7:30 PM Wednesday at A. S. Turner and Sons.