Big Bob (Lyle) mentioned this fellow a couple of years ago. Even though he wasn't a Studebaker fan he was a local legend and someone that I looked up to when I was growing up in Motron TX.
James (Jim) Butler aka "Mr Ford" Obituary by his daughter Patsy Harris
James passed away on November 27, 2006 at the age of 84. James was born in Ft. Cobb Ok on November 10, 1922 to Robert and Bertha Reed Butler. He is survived by one brother, Lewis Butler of Levelland Texas, two daughters, Evelyn Butler Cunningham and husband Bill Cunningham of Ft. Stockton Tx, Patsy Butler Harris of Fredericksburg, Tx, , five grandchildren, David Harris of San Saba Tx, Ronald Harris of Brownwood Tx, Vickie Bradshaw, Beverly Ezell of Ft. Stockton Tx, Amy Lightner of Monahans, 13 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandson. James was preceded in death by his wife Inez Hallford Butler; parents Robert and Bertha Butler, five brothers, Roy Dell, Glen, Melvin, Floyd, and Skinner; two sisters, Arlie and Vida.
James and his wife Inez lived in Morton Tx until 1970 where they owned a garage and wrecking yard. James and Inez moved to Graham Texas in 1970, then in 1990 they moved to Lake Brownwood, and their final move came in 1999 to Ft. Stockton Tx.
James had a great love for fast cars, and built and raced many hot rods in his lifetime. James was widely known as "Mr. Ford". James and Inez began their racing career on the circle track circuit in
1950. In the late 1950's James began drag racing on the quarter and eighth mile tracks. Two of James most famous race cars were Rowdy Willy which won the Top Ten In The World honors in 1960. James sold Rowdy Willy to the Charioteer Drag Racing club in Hobbs NM and the driver for the Charioteers was Lee Proctor of Odessa. Rowdy was in a featured article in the fall 2004 edition of the Gasser magazine. The last hot rod was a little Falcon Ranchero powered by a 289 cubic inch engine. James won the World Championship at Green Valley in 1966 with Remember Me. Bryan Teal was the only man James felt was worthy of driving his race cars, and was the official driver of Remember Me. Dickey Harrell known as "Mr. Chevrolet" drove Remember Me once on the eight mile track in Illinois, winning the championship. Both Rowdy Willy and Remember Me held many world records. In 1963 James built a 1963 Ford Falcon Sprint "Lil Red" for the Morton Ford House which was never outrun.. until James outrun it with his 1963 Ford Falcon 289 cubic inch rod "Remember Me". The most famous winning races were when James won the Nationals with "Rowdy Willy" and also with his tow car, a 1958 Ford station wagon. Two years later he won the Nationals with "Rowdy Willy" and also with his tow car a 1960 Ford Starliner. When James lost his eyesight and retired from drag racing, he began a new career of working on boat motors, this career lasted for 45 years. There was never anything he could not do when he had an engine to work on and tools in his hand until the day he passed from this earth. I'm sure Daddy rode a hot rod to heaven.Visitation will be in Morton Tx Wednesday at the Head Memorial Funeral Home 309 N.E. 8th Street from 10 - 9 . Graveside services for James Clinton Butler will be in the Enochs cemetery Thursday November 30 at 10:30 am.