Obituary of Walter "Butch" Sutowski

Aug. 8, 1943 - May 22, 2026 

Walter (Butch) Bernard Sutowski. Age 82 of Lincoln Park. 

Caring spouse of Louanne Kivlin. Loving father of Walter (Kimberly) and Stacey (Ralph) Shurtz. Cherished grandfather of Hunter (Renee) Shurtz, Katarzyna (Casey) Shurtz, Halena and Alexandra. He was preceded in death by father, Walter J., mother, Margaret, and sister, Agnes. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. 

~ Family Tribute ~

Butch was born and raised on the West Side of Detroit. He was baptized at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, where he also attended grade school. He attended Mackenzie High School and afterwards joined the United States Navy. He was honorably discharged from the Navy, came home and married his high school sweetheart, Louanne on Sept. 9th, 1961. Soon after, they started their family. 

He had a very strong work ethic and had many jobs across his career, including Ford Motor Company, Hi-Vol, Peerless Industries and the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, where he retired after 30+ years. Butch was a strong union supporter and served many years as a Teamsters Local 337 Union Steward and Delegate. He was also a proud and active member of Wyandotte Council 1802 Knights of Columbus. 

Butch enjoyed spending quality time with his family and friends. He was an avid bowler since his teenage years and spent many years as a part of different singing groups, including the “St. Luke Imperials” and the Taylor Chorus. He enjoyed wildlife, especially his family dogs (and one grand cat). He had a great sense of humor and always had a joke ready to tell. Butch always enjoyed a round of golf, trips to both Detroit and Vegas casinos with his best buddy, Denny (#27), traveling the state of Michigan with his children, and traveling North America and the Caribbean with his grandchildren. He loved watching his favorite Detroit sports teams either in person or on the TV, and even sometimes watched the New York Yankees for his grandson. 

At age 40, he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. In 2003, Butch was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and battled it until remission in 2011. 

2017 initiated new individual cancer battles, including bladder, prostate, skin, adrenal and finally liver in 2023. 

In later years, he was more housebound due to all of his illnesses. He found entertainment by watching his favorite old Western movies, Perry Mason, game shows from the 70s-80s and Judge Judy. Throughout all of this, Butch remained true to his Catholic faith and had a strong devotion to his favorite saint, St. Anthony (of Padua) right until the end. 

Butch was looking forward to meeting his first great-grandchild, Victoria Marie Shurtz, this upcoming June. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all of his loved ones near and far. 

PLEASE WEAR YOUR FAVORITE DETROIT SPORTS TEAM CASUAL ATTIRE FOR THE VISITATION ON THURSDAY. 

In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a donation to honor Butch, please consider donating to American Diabetes Association, any cancer foundation or Henry Ford Health Hospice. Or consider donating blood, as Butch did for as long as he was able.