Nyland Ray Israel

Major (Retired) Nyland “Butch” Ray Israel was called home on August 18, 2025, after a long battle with Parkinson's.

“Butch” was born June 13, 1941, in Dodge City, KS to Porter T. and Lucille (Prescott) Israel. He was the youngest boy of 6 kids. He spent the first several years of life in the “bustling metropolis” of Ensign, KS. Population at time of his birth was around 200.

“Butch” graduated from Dodge City High School in 1958. At the age of 20, he began a career of service to his Country by joining the US Army. He served from September 1961 – August 1964. After his discharge from the Army, he attended nursing school at William Newton Memorial Hospital in Winfield, KS and completed his program in June 1967. In November 1967, he joined the US Air Force, with his brother and best friend Carroll. May 1974, he earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Incarnate Word College. He retired June 1985 from the US Air Force as a Major after serving 18 years.

Upon his retirement, at what was then Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, he continued to practice nursing for a while in the private sector. Deciding a few years into retirement he wanted a career change, “Butch” attended bartending school and there after managed a few “fine” local establishments including Cowboy City and Filthy McNasty’s. Both locations offering the country music atmosphere he enjoyed.

Thereafter, he returned to nursing by taking a position with Tarrant County Mental Health as a group home charge nurse ensuring the clients were getting the best possible care available. Finally becoming a man of leisure in 2006.

“Butch” was preceded in death by father, Porter Israel; mother, Lucille (Prescott), Brother, Gale; brother, Lee and his wife Evelyn; brother, Carroll; sister Donetta Cook; brother, Delbert and his wife Bonnie; brother-in-law, Herman Barnett; and 2 nephews and a niece. He is survived by his wife, Mary (Barnett) Israel; daughter, Audra; grandson, Preston; great-granddaughter, Remington and her mother Danielle Montes; sister, Louella Kuestersteffen; and 6 nieces and 2 nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to be made in his memory to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. 
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M., Sunday, August 24, 2025 at Alpine Funeral Home located at 2300 N. Sylvania Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76111.

A celebration of his life will be at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, August 31, 2025 at Trinity Cumberland Presbyterian Church located at 7120 W. Cleburne Road, Fort Worth, Texas 76133.