An Irish immigrant to the United States, moved his family from Ohio to Hollywood, California in 1908.
On Broadway, Butler performed in The Serio-Comic Governess (1904), The Great Divide (1906), and Pippa Passes (1906).
William's son, Larry Butler,[2] born in Akron, Ohio, just before the family's move to Hollywood.
Larry grew up in the film business, dropped out of Burbank High School to work with his father on special effects projects.
Larry is credited with inventing the blue screen and the traveling matte, both processes were necessary for all special effects and are used today.