Michael Ray Butts

Michael Ray Butts, age 73, of Flint Twp., a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at the Symphony of Linden. Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM, Friday, November 8, 2024 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Road, Swartz Creek with Pastor Lawrence Bowlin officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Hills Cemetery, Flint. Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM until the time of service Friday. The funeral service will be livestreamed and can be accessed on Mike’s obituary page. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Tyrone Covenant Presbyterian Church, 10235 White Lake Rd, Fenton, MI 48430, or the Old Newsboys of Flint, 6255 Taylor Dr., Flint, MI 48507.

Born on January 6, 1951, in Indianapolis, Indiana, he was the son of Betty June (Huffman) Butts and the late Richard Levi Butts. After graduating from Ainsworth High School in 1969, Mike dedicated his career to General Motors, where he worked for 47 years until his retirement.

On January 2, 1971, Mike married the love of his life, Sandy Butts. Together, they built a beautiful life. Mike was a former volunteer fireman at Flint Township Fire Department, a proud Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters and sold newspapers every December at the same intersection to benefit the Old Newsboys of Flint.

An avid sportsman, Mike found great joy being outdoors in Michigan. In his younger years, he enjoyed hunting for ducks and pheasants with friends and his favorite birddogs. He was also a wildlife conservationist and was a former member of Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and Michigan Steelhead and Salmon Fisherman's Association (MSSFA). Fishing was his greatest outdoor passion throughout his life, and he spent countless summer days after retirement casting lines with friends, his brother Ron, and his grandsons, Wes and Connor.

Mike and Sandy also shared a love for horses, including carriage driving in the Metamora Carriage and Driver Association and the Great Lakes Haflinger Association. A devoted member of Tyrone Covenant Presbyterian Church, Mike served as a Deacon and regularly volunteered with the youth groups. He recently joined the West Flint Optimist Club, where he made a meaningful impact on children in the community by filling backpacks for students and building beds for those in need. He was a lifelong fan of the Detroit Red Wings, the Detroit Lions, University of Michigan football and the Detroit Tigers!

Mike is survived by his daughter, Katy and husband Chris Peckham of Roanoke, IN; two grandsons, Wesley and Connor Peckham; his mother, Betty June Butts; siblings Sandy Bigney, Jay (Cherie) Butts, and Ron (Jeannette) Butts; mother-in-law, Mary Jean Phaneuf; brother-in-law, David (Cindy) Phaneuf; and many cherished nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 47 years, Sandra “’Sandy” Marie (Phaneuf) Butts: his father, Richard L. Butts: and father-in-law, James O. Phaneuf. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com