Bill Butler, a native of Berlin, Wis., who played on Vince Lombardi's first team in Green Bay, died Friday, Nov. 28. Butler was 88 and living not far from Lambeau Field.
Butler was drafted by the Packers in the 19th round in 1959 after playing collegiately at what was then the University of Chattanooga.
Butler, who stood 5-foot-10 and weighed 189 pounds, was tried at defensive back during training camp and cut after the second exhibition game. However, one week into the regular season, Lombardi re-signed him as an offensive halfback.
Butler played in the final 11 games and served as the Packers' primary kick returner. He finished with a 22.5-yard average on 21 kickoff returns and a 9.1 average on 18 punt returns, including one for 61 yards and a touchdown.
In March 1960, Butler was one of three Packers selected by the newly formed Dallas Cowboys in their NFL expansion draft. He started at safety for the Cowboys and also finished second in the NFL in punt returns with a 10.1 average.
Within 10 days after the season ended, the Cowboys traded Butler to Pittsburgh, where he started eight games as a defensive back in 1961. In April 1962, Minnesota acquired Butler from the Steelers, and he played three seasons for the Vikings, starting at free safety in 1962. He also returned punts and kickoffs for the Vikings all three seasons.
