Stephen J. Butler

BUTLER, Stephen Joseph, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2026 at the age of 74.

Steve is survived by his children, Brian Butler and Katie Jackson; daughter-in-law Amy Pratt; son-in-law Brandon Jackson; and his grandchildren, Ben and Paige Jackson. He is also survived by his former wife, Claire Butler; his siblings, Karen (Tom) Chuck, Tom (Lynn) Butler, and Tim (Donna) Butler; and many cherished nieces and nephews.

Steve was born on January 5, 1952 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Mary (nee Davoran) and Arthur Butler. Steve was the eldest of four children and took his job of being the eldest brother seriously. He attended St. Antoninus and Elder High School, and in 1974 graduated summa cum laude from Saint Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana. He returned to Cincinnati for law school, graduating from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1977, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review. In 1977, Steve joined Smith & Schnacke in Dayton, Ohio, and remained with the firm through its merger with Thompson Hine, LLP. Steve was a well-respected partner at Thompson Hine until his retirement in 2025. It was a point of quiet pride for Steve that over the course of his entire career he interviewed for only one job.

Steve had many passions — golf, research, photography, travel, maximizing toppings on his pizzas and seasonings in his recipes, and spending time outside with good music, a cocktail, and friends.

More than anything, Steve was a family man. He deeply loved his siblings and their families, the friends who became family to him, and his children and grandchildren — and he made sure everyone knew it.

His son Brian followed him into law, and the two spent countless evenings talking through legal cases together. Steve and Brian were regulars at Bengals and Reds games, where the joy of being together always mattered more than the score. Steve adored Brian's wife Amy, and their bond deepened over glasses of wine and new recipes. When Steve's health began to decline, Brian and Amy made the selfless decision to move him into their home, and Steve and Amy spent his final year happily planning and designing their home together, something he looked forward to every day.

His daughter Katie chose a different path, becoming a clinical psychologist rather than an attorney (although she did end up marrying one). During her years in graduate school, she and Steve kept a standing Tuesday dinner date, a tradition that continued until Katie moved to Alabama. Their dinner tradition was replaced by daily Wordle exchanges, and they celebrated together when their shared first word (“arise”) was the Wordle answer. Steve did not let the distance get in the way and he visited Alabama often. Katie's husband Brandon frequently sought Steve's legal counsel — and in turn Brandon introduced Steve to the world of Alabama football and deep sea fishing. Steve and Brandon also shared a love for research and regularly discussed the minute details of their latest research projects.

Steve's family felt complete to him with the arrival of his grandson, Ben, in 2018, and his granddaughter, Paige, in 2021. Steve was adamant on simply being called "Grandpa" but Ben decided “Bubba” was a better fit, a name Steve happily answered to. A proud lefty, Bubba was delighted that Ben throws left-handed, and he shared a special bond with Paige over inheriting his red hair.

Steve was diagnosed with ALS in 2019 and positively refused to let the disease slow him down. His strength, tenacity, and perseverance were clear throughout his fight. One of Steve’s most well-known attributes is his curiosity, which has continued after his death as he selflessly decided on brain donation to help researchers find a cure for this devastating disease.

His family is eternally grateful to Steve’s aide and close friend Kevin Stitzel, Dr. Rob Neel and the clinicians at the University of Cincinnati ALS Multidisciplinary Clinic, The Brain Donor Project and University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Brain Endowment Bank, and the providers through American Mercy, Arcadia Care, Hospice of Cincinnati, and Senior Helpers.

Steve’s visitation will be held on Friday, August 21, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at B.J. Meyer Sons Funeral Home & Crematory (5864 Bridgetown Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45248). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 10:30 AM at St. Simon the Apostle Catholic Church (825 Pontius Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45233). A celebration of Steve’s life will continue on Saturday evening. Steve will be interred at Saint Joseph’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to ALS United Ohio: Donate to ALS United Ohio

Learn more about Steve’s gift to The Brain Donor Project: The Brain Donor Project

B.J. Meyer Sons Funeral Home serving the family. Condolences may be sent at www.bjmeyer.com.