Tim Butler continues to play life to the fullest
Staff writer
Editor's Note: Since this interview, Tim has developed a viral infection. The infection is currently being treated with antibiotics. The infection has delayed his much-needed surgery and causes him to cough which further irritates his throat making his condition worse. According to Tim, the surgery is expensive, but he must have it done. He asked that the community pray for him, that the infection will clear up and that he will be able to have surgery soon before the cold weather arrives.
If you have gone into McDonald's, you might have been greeted, at some time, with a smile by Tim Butler. Tim's gregarious and out-going personality is certainly a draw for the restaurant.
Born and raised in Delphos, Ohio, Tim graduated from Delphos-Jefferson High School in 1984.
He moved to Las Vegas, Nev., with his mother, and they lived there for two years. While in Las Vegas, Tim studied music and played percussion in the marching band.
"It's stuff I love to do," Tim said.
In 1986, he and his mother moved to California, and they lived in Los Angeles from 1987-88.
"I did some star-gazing while I was there," Tim said.
"My goal was to see the ocean because growing up in Ohio, I had never seen the ocean," he said.
It was in California that Tim began seeking the Lord between 1988-89.
"He found me," Tim said. "God kept nudging at me, and I said I'm not ready. Then I gave up and said I'm ready Lord."
After his encounter with the Lord, Tim decided to go back to Delphos, Ohio, to locate his father.
"The experience wasn't so good, but it was good to know who he was and to get to know him better," he said.
While in Delphos, Tim worked at INK, a food distribution company. Tim's main job was in the sanitation department cleaning machinery to get it ready for the next day.
He also played the drums in a "nice" rock band called CDS, and he helped with the lighting and pyro shows ad for other famous bands.
In 1999, Tim came to Kansas. He first settled in Wichita, but was amazed at its size.
"I was looking for a Christian place to live," he said.
Through the coaxing and suggestion from a friend of his, Megan Barkman, whom he met while he lived in California, Tim came to Hillsboro.
On Jan. 14, 1999, Tim started working at McDonald's in Hillsboro.
Tim worked the front counter and later became a trainer, after he learned the job.
"That was quite exciting for me," he said.
His duties include working the drive-thru window and working in the kitchen.
"I'm trained to do almost everything," he said, smiling.
The highlight of working at McDonald's for Tim is meeting new people.
"I love to meet new people," he said. "When they (the customers) mention the Lord, I get excited."
Tim takes classes at Tabor College from Dr. Richard Cantwell. He is also a member of the community band directed by Gregg Walker, Hillsboro High School band director.
"These two are the best band directors I've been under," Tim said.
"The family that means the most to me is the Steve Walker family," he said. "John is my best friend, and he helped me find out who I am and change me toward the good."
Tim attends the services held at the Tabor Historical Church on the Tabor campus.
"The students have been such a support to me," he said. "They have accepted me, and I do some support work at Tabor and help students."
By the students accepting him, Tim is referring to his "sounding different" than everyone else. You see, Tim has the papilloma virus.
It is a epithelial benign tumor that is caused by a virus. Doctors think he might have received the virus through his mother's blood. There is no known cure.
Tim must have surgery once a year to keep his windpipe from "webbing" together, as he called it, and to keep it open. If left untreated without surgery, his windpipe could close; and he could literally suffocate.
"That's why I sound different," he said. "It is on going, and I'll have to deal with it the rest of my life.
"But, I'm living day to day."
