The passing of a city legend

Former Austin mayor Roy Butler passed away last week. Thursday, family, friends and those he didn't even know filled the auditorium of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library auditorium on the University of Texas campus.

Many people, including me, didn't realize the impact Mr. Butler had on the city of Austin, a town which he loved very much. Ralph Wayne, a lifelong friend of Butler, said he was a businessman through and through, but he had compassion for people and he loved life. He worked tirelessly for education efforts and improved the infrastructure in town, including working for the addition of MoPac, Loop 1. Wayne said people may not like the traffic in Austin, "but just imagined what Austin would be like without it, [MoPac]" he said.

During the memorial service, which included more than 1,000 people and left standing room only for those in the back, Wayne reflected on the life of his dear friend, at times telling candidly funny jokes. He began, "The reason Roy and I were so close is because it didn't cost him anything!"

Butler was also an advocate for the police department. It showed, too. Many law enforcement officers, including Police Chief Art Acevedo, attended the memorial service.

I never knew Roy Butler, but I wish I had. He seemed like the kind of guy everyone would want to know.