Bill Butrum, age 56, passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2026, after a short but courageous battle with cancer. To celebrate Bill’s life, his family will host a reception at Bill’s garage, 801 East D Main St, Dallas, Iowa on Saturday, September 5th, officially from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. although all are welcome to stay longer as we cheer on the Hawkeyes and enjoy great food in Bill’s honor. Please wear Hawkeye attire and bring an appetite and maybe a lawn chair.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in care of his family and will be designated to one of his passions at a later date.
Bill was born on December 23, 1969 in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to Harold and Donna (Glenn) Butrum. The middle of three children, Bill grew up in Melcher-Dallas alongside his older sister, Ang, and younger sister, Michele. He attended Melcher-Dallas schools, where he played football and proudly wore #79—a number that remained special to him long after his playing days were over. He graduated with the Class of 1988.
Some of Bill’s favorite memories growing up were made working alongside his dad on the farm. He enjoyed helping with the cattle and was never afraid of hard work. Farm work suited Bill well; he was happiest when he was busy, and sitting still was never really his specialty.
Bill was proud of the years he spent working at Maytag and remained there until operations moved in 2007. Afterward, he continued working hard, driving truck and operating a forklift. Whatever the job, Bill was dependable and took pride in doing his part.
Eventually, one of Bill’s favorite hobbies became something much bigger. He loved smoking meat, experimenting with food, and feeding people. That passion grew into “Ain’t No BS BBQ,” a business whose name probably tells you almost as much about Bill as the food itself. More than anything, he enjoyed sharing it with his family and friends. Bill was a true foodie who loved trying new things, and a good pizza joint was always worth checking out.
Bill’s home—and especially his garage—became a natural gathering place. There was usually something good to eat, somebody stopping by, and plenty of conversation. It seems only fitting that the place where so many memories were made will now be the place where family and friends gather one more time to celebrate him.
And if there was a Hawkeye game on, you knew exactly where Bill would be.
Bill bled black and gold and was an Iowa Hawkeye fanatic through and through. Game days were meant to be shared, and he loved hosting family and friends to cheer on the Hawks. When it was time to get serious about the game, his small group—including Donnie and Furl—knew the routine. Somehow, despite all that Hawkeye loyalty, Bill could also cheer for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, a habit he had carried with him since childhood. How he reconciled the two loyalties was Bill’s business.
Bill had a great sense of humor, although he was rarely the loudest person in the room. He was more likely to sit back, listen, and wait for exactly the right moment to deliver a comment that caught everyone off guard. If Bill liked you, there was also a pretty good chance you weren’t going to be called by your actual name for long. He had a nickname for just about everyone he cared about.
Long before fidget toys were a thing, Bill had already invented his own. He almost always had a shoestring in his hand or tucked into his pocket, twirling it or wrapping it around his finger. It was simply part of Bill. He was always moving, always doing something, and usually thinking about what came next.
For all the things that made Bill who he was—nothing mattered more to him than his family. Bill was a self-proclaimed mama’s boy, and he was proud of it. He loved his children and took tremendous pride in his grandchildren.
Bill married Brandi Bond, and they were blessed with daughters Ashley and Stephanie. He later married Leslie McCarty, and they were blessed with their son, Cayden. Through all the chapters of his life, his children and grandchildren remained a source of great pride and happiness.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Donna Butrum. He will be greatly missed by his children: Ashley (Jason) Stegman, Mouth “Stephanie” Butrum, and Cayden Butrum; grandchildren: Taylor (Braydon) Draeger, Hailey Stegman, Ashlyn Stegman, Kittle Stegman, and LynnLee Butrum; sisters: Ang (Lonnie) Essick and Michele (Troy) Gilchrist; nieces: Sara, Cortney, and Erin; along with many relatives and friends.
Bill was only 56, and there should have been more games to watch, more meat to smoke, more pizza places to try, and a whole lot more time spent gathered in the garage. Cancer may have made his final chapter far too short, but it does not get the final word on Bill’s life.
That belongs to the people who knew him, laughed with him, ate with him, worked beside him, cheered with him, and loved him.
So on Saturday, come hungry. Wear your black and gold. Bring a lawn chair if you need one. Tell some Bill stories, eat some good food, cheer loudly for the Hawkeyes, and stay awhile.
Bill would prefer it that way.
