Butler receives Community Cornerstone Award

Stephen Butler is CornerBank’s Community Cornerstone Award recipient in Arkansas City for February. In recognition of his service, CornerBank will contribute $100 to the non-profit organization of Butler’s choice. He has selected the Family Life Services to receive the contribution. A reception honoring Butler’s service will be at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 29, in the CornerBank community room, 125 N. Summit. The public is invited to attend the reception.

Butler’s musical talents are well-known throughout Cowley County. He has shared his gift with numerous organizations at fundraising and community events, including activities for Habitat for Humanity, Arkansas City Arts Council and the Burford project. He has co-written 10 Christmas cantatas with Vic Olmstead for Central Christian Church. He personally wrote a Christmas musical and co-wrote Easter cantatas with Page Butler, his twin brother, for First Baptist Church. He has sung and officiated hundreds of funerals during the past decade.

Butler has been a member of First Baptist Church since 1997. He served on the Family Life Services (FLS) board from 1999 to 2003. He was treasurer from 2001 to 2003 and presided over paying off the FLS building during his tenure.

Butler is the son of James and Lorraine Butler. He was raised in Winfield and Arkansas City, attended Hillcrest Bible Baptist Elementary and was later homeschooled. He attended Cowley College and earned his bachelor’s degree from Southwestern College in 1997. He also has earned a master’s degree in worship studies (2007) and a master’s degree in music performance (2011).

After college, he began work as a worship leader at First Baptist Church of Arkansas City. In 1999, he began teaching music theory, sight singing and ear training, and class piano at Cowley College. He also was accompanist for the choir and CC Singers. In 2009, he left the College and served as full-time interim pastor of First Baptist Church. Currently, he is an affiliate faculty member at Southwestern College, where he teaches piano and serves as the choral accompanist.

Butler and his wife, Zee, have four children: Jordan, 17; Lakynn, 16; Lindzey, 13; and Zane, 9.

Butler was selected for the award by the Community Cornerstone Award selection committee, which includes Arleta Rice, Judy Reedy, Curt Freeland and Brenda Combs. All are previous recipients of the Cornerstone Award. Volunteers are the cornerstones of healthy communities. They’re on your corner – the people next door. They’re in your corner – helping make our community stronger. The Community Cornerstone Award recognizes the time and effort of volunteers dedicated to serving people and enhancing the quality of life in Cowley County. If you know of a Cowley County resident who has shown servant leadership in community service, contact Joyce McArtor at 442-6500 or joycem@cornerbank.com for nomination guidelines.