Father Michael Butler, a priest of the Diocese of Raleigh for 41 years, died Sept. 7, 2026 at his home in Greenville, North Carolina.
Michael Alan Butler was born Dec. 8, 1955 in Fayetteville, North Carolina to Lynnwood C. Butler and Claudia R. Butler. His father served in the U.S. Air Force and Michael grew up alongside his five siblings. He attended Washington State University in Pullman, Washington from 1974 until 1976. He converted to Catholicism in 1976 and was received into the Church in Pullman.
He went on to attend Belmont Abbey College, where he graduated in 1980 with a B.A. in history. In 1984 he graduated from St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Maryland with a master’s degree. He was ordained Jan. 18, 1985 at St. Raphael the Archangel Church in Raleigh.
During his formation, he completed a diocesan-based migrant ministry program, internships at St. Raphael in Raleigh and St. Patrick in Fayetteville and two summer study tours at Cuernavaca Language School in Mexico.
According to an article in NC Catholic newspaper, he served his diaconate year with Father Thomas Hadden and the Catholic community in Kinston. Described as a teacher by nature, Father Butler said, “I have learned that if the Church is to be the heart of a community, we must reach out to all its members, especially those who are hurting.”
As a priest, he served at Immaculate Conception Parish in Durham, St. Egbert Church in Morehead City, Holy Redeemer Church in Kitty Hawk and St. Gabriel in Greenville. He was also pastor of St. John the Baptist in Roanoke Rapids, where he was raised.
At his request, funeral and burial services will be private.
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