John Butler

Dr. John (Andy) Butler, 71, of Sugar Camp, a beloved partner, father, brother, and Wausau Plastic Surgeon, passed away peacefully on April 23, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, surrounded by his family and close friend Dr. Tom Stoffel.

John was a man who made a profound impact on everyone he met. This included his friends and patients. He took great interest in others and the stories they had to share. To those who knew and loved John, he will be remembered for his love of family especially his boys Tayte and Jonathan, his storytelling, sense of humor, generosity, reading, and music. He also loved fishing, hunting, and hiking with neighbors and friends at his home in Sugar Camp.

John was born on December 11, 1950, in Denver, Colorado, to Jack and Betty Butler. He graduated in 1969, from P.J. Jacobs High School in Stevens Point, WI. He went to Carleton College in Northfield, MN, and received a B.A. in Biology in 1973. John continued his education attending the University of Chicago earning a degree in Respiratory Therapy. With the encouragement of Dr. Phil Hacker, John then earned his Doctorate Degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison WI, in 1988. He was board certified in Plastics and General Surgery. Following his residency, John and his family moved to Wausau, WI, and joined the Plastic Surgery Group. John practiced with this independent group (Plastic Surgery and Vein Clinic) until his retirement in July 2016. He was also very instrumental in the formation of Wausau Surgery Center, the first surgery center in the Wausau area. John was a Visionary who could see the focus of health care for the future. He served as the Medical Director and Partnership Chairman for many years during his career at the Wausau Surgery Center.

While his many achievements were important to him, his greatest passion was for his boys Tayte and Jonathan. After his retirement, he built a home up in Sugar Camp with partner Julie Allen and resided there until his death. John is survived by his loving partner Julie, son Tayte of Chicago, sister Jennifer (Tom) Youtsos of Bonita Springs, FL, nieces Alison (Ken) Carlson of Woodbury, MN, Jackie Youtsos, MD (Eric Bradshaw), Pittsburg, KS, and Katie Youtsos, Minneapolis, MN. He also is survived by his two Scottish Terriers Violet and Lily.

John was predeceased by his parents and son, Jonathan.

John’s family would like to sincerely thank Dr. Ahuja, the Aspirus Cancer center and all of the Aspirus ICU staff for their caring and kindness while he was in their care.

Visitation will be held at Brainard Funeral Home and Cremation Center on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at 522 Adams Street in Wausau, from 4: 00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with a service of reflection and sharing of memories to follow. A private Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends at his home in June.

In lieu of flowers, the family will create a memorial honoring John at a later date.