17.01.2023

William Jefferson Butler 1939 - 2023

We have received the sad news that Bill Butler the founder of Able Equipment Rental in California has died. He passed away unexpectedly last Tuesday at the age of 83.
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Bill Butler

Bill Butler set up his rental business in 1961 at the age of 22 and just three years after he graduated from High School. He found a small yard in Santa Fe Springs, Los Angeles, and worked from a simple Nissen/Quonset hut on the site, in Orange County, not far from Anaheim.

The company grew steadily over the years and along the way Bill was joined by his son Jeff, with the two working together to build the business, both organically and via acquisitions, into a regional rental operation operating from seven locations with 200 employees and a fleet largely made up of aerial work platforms. Then in 1998, as Bill approached 60, the two decided to accept a takeover offer from United Rentals and sold the business.
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Bill Butler in his Able Equipment days with his new grandson - Jake

Butler is survived by wife Lois and three children - son Jeff, along with daughters Pamela and Patricia. Bill’s grandson Jake Butler - Jeff's son - still works in the rental industry as a sales rep for H&E Equipment Services.

The funeral service was held yesterday morning.