Carl Butler

PALERMO - Carl W. Butler, 93, passed into glory while at the Breakwater Commons in Rockland, on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

Born July 31, 1933 at his family's farm on the West Meadow Road in Rockland, he was the beloved son of William W. and Beatrice Butler. He was raised on the farm along with 3 siblings and graduated from Rockland High School in 1951. He then attended Gorham State Teacher's College and graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts.

Carl met Barbara A. Stevens from Portland, the love of his life, while attending college. They married on April 30, 1954 and were married for 66 years until her passing in 2020. Together they raised four children.

Carl began his working career as a High School Industrial Arts teacher in Kezar Falls, Maine from 1955-1957 and then Howland, Maine from 1957-1969. He began some long-lasting friendships during those years that stayed with him through life and sadly saw those friends pass on. He was an avid sportsman and loved hunting, fishing and trapping with friends and family members. He trained many beagles over the years that he enjoyed rabbit hunting with, especially his beloved dog Scout. He owned several camps over his lifetime and spent many happy days enjoying life at the lake with family and fishing on Moosehead Lake.

Carl moved his family to the Detroit area of Michigan in 1967 for one year while he attended an Experienced Teacher Fellowship Program at Wayne State University where he studied pneumatics and hydraulics. One qualified person from each state was chosen to attend the program, Carl was chosen from Maine and earned his Master's degree in 1968. Upon his return, he moved his family to Palermo, and began his career in the Maine Department of Education where he served as Industrial Arts Consultant, Director of Program Services and Finance for Secondary Vocational Education under Bill Cassidy until 1991.

Carl had a passion for cars beginning with his first car, a 1930's vintage Essex Terraplane. Over the years the family never knew what he might bring home for a vehicle, anything from a 1960's vintage Thunderbird to a '67 Cadillac Coupe DeVille and everything in between! He loved working on cars and fixing them up and would often drive the car for a while before selling it. That passion turned into a business for him upon retiring and he opened CB Auto Sales; a used car dealership operated from his home in Palermo for more than 20 years. He retired from that business when he turned 80.

He and Barbara loved to travel when they could get a chance and went to Bermuda, Hawaii, California and Canada often with family members or to visit family. In Barbara's declining years he was faithfully by her side caring for her until her passing at age 86.
Carl was a loved and respected member of the community in Palermo. He often quietly helped those he saw in need more than anyone will probably ever know. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, son, brother and friend to so many, extending to his family of in-laws, nieces and nephews and will be greatly missed.
Carl was predeceased by his parents; his wife Barbara; his brother William A. Butler formerly of Camden; his sister Doris Stanely and her husband who was his good friend and business partner Gordon Stanely both formerly of Glen Cove; and a beloved grandson Christopher Costa formerly of Liberty.

He is survived by his beloved sister Maxine Philbrook of Thomaston; his and Barbara's four children, William ‘Bill’ Butler, II and his wife Linda of Jefferson; Deborah Costa of Liberty, Cynthia Spearin and her husband Stephen of Appleton, Kimberly Brown and her husband Blake of Palermo; his grandchildren; Kathleen Posey and her husband Justin, Daniel Boothby, Victoria Butler, Joseph Costa and his wife Julie, Anthony Costa and his wife Shannon, Allison Costa, Stephen Spearin and his wife Kimberly, Samuel Spearin, Alex Spearin and his wife Grace and Jeremy Brown; as well as 12 great-grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to visit from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 29, 2026 at Palermo Christian Church, 322 Branch Mills Road, Palermo.

While flowers are gratefully accepted, those who wish may make memorial donations in memory of Carl and Barbara to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, or online at donate.cancer.org

Please share memories and condolences with the Butler family, here on their Remembrance Page.