William R. Butler (born July 10, 1937) is a former American football safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings.
Although he was initially waived in training camp, he was re-signed after the team cut fellow rookie Tim Brown.
Butler was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft and was moved to defense, becoming the first starting free safety in franchise history.
On April 7, 1962, he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a sixth round draft selection, completing a previous transaction.
On August 20, 1965, Butler signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
[9] Butler lives in Berlin, Wisconsin and is the defensive coordinator for the Ripon High School football team and an assistant track and field coach.