Philip Alan Butler was born in Tupelo on May 23, l952 to his legendary parents, Robert “Bob” and Juanita “Nita” Williams Butler, co founders of the Regional Rehabilitation Center in Tupelo. He departed his earthly pilgrimage at 2:03 AM Tuesday, October 21, 2026 from NMMC after a brief battle with lung cancer. Philip was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and a true friend to many. He lived his entire life in Lee County and attended the Tupelo Public Schools. He married the former Dian Tarpley on Dec. 31, 1971; a marriage of 54 years at his death. He spent his 27-year working career with the Miss. Department of Transportation where he served in different capacities, retiring after 27 years’ service. Philip was an expert marksman and loved training police officers and the general public. His marksmanship skills were so precise; he was named to the Governor’s team. In his later years, he renewed his longtime interest in woodworking and spent several years making wood items, cabinets and accessories, being quite skilled with his hands. He and Dian attended Connect Church in Tupelo.
A service celebrating his life will be held at 2 PM Friday, Oct.23, 2026 in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with Pastor Terry Pierce officiating with remarks by Steve Holland. Private burial will follow in Prentiss Memorial Gardens in Frankstown. Visitation will be from 4 PM-7PM Thursday and from 1 PM-service time Friday, all at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo, which is honored to be serving their friends. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Live-streaming at 2 PM Friday, and will be archived thereafter.
Philip leaves behind his wife, Dian Tarpley Butler of Saltillo; his daughters Mitzie Steward (Jason), Kari Robison (Brandon), his son, Josh Butler (Katie); 6 grandchildren, Alisha Robinson, Nicholas Robinson, Ainsley Jolly (Jacob), Reese Robison, Finnegan Butler and Callahan Butler; one great grandson, Trevor Robinson; special sister and brother not by blood but by love, Martha Langley (Jimmy) and Arthur Lamar “Grasshopper” Clark. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Nita Butler and his brother, Clark Butler.
Pallbearers will be Tommy Scruggs, Dean Webb, Brandon McMillian, Wade Farrar, Mike Alton and Hayes Altom.
Memorials may be made to the Regional Rehabilitation Center at 1891 Pegram Dr. Tupelo, MS 38801. Condolences may be posted on Philip’s memorial page at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Butler.
