02/17/2025
In Loving Memory of Justin Woelfel, Sr.
We've lost a treasure and a highly respected professional in the tile and stone industry. A loving, caring husband, father and grandfather, Justin "Butch" Woelfel, 85, passed away peacefully the morning of Feb. 7, 2025, with the love of his life and wife of 65 years, Mary Teresa Woelfel, by his side at their home in Pine, Arizona.
Butch was born May 18, 1939, in El Paso Texas, to John Otto Woelfel and Justina Bertha Foerster Woelfel. Butch was the owner and chief executive officer of Artcraft Granite Marble & Tile Company, originally founded 89 years ago in El Paso, Texas, and relocated the business to Mesa, Arizona, in 1998. Named for the office location, Artcraft Road in El Paso is now memorialized as an international border crossing with Mexico.
Butch is survived by wife Mary, children, Justin Woelfel Jr., Jacque Woelfel, Joani Woelfel and James (Chris) Woelfel; 12 grandchildren, Lyndsay, Trevor and Jake Woelfel, Joshua and Rachael Bowden, Miguel, Tommy and Francesca Auza, Dominique and Meagan Knowles, Hannah Spude and Preston Woelfel; seven great-grandchildren, Jacob and Emma King, Kylee Oliver, Bella Neece, Hunter Paris, and Isaiah and Ivy Bettencourt; by his brother Robert Woelfel of Houston, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He's preceded in death by his parents, brother John Woelfel, and sister Dorothy Gross. He was fondly known to all his nieces and nephews as "Uncle Butch," and he mentored all four of his children and several nephews in the tile business who also worked for Artcraft.
Butch was a decorated swimmer and basketball player at El Paso High School and attended the University of Texas El Paso. He spent a lot of time with his young family on camping trips across the Southwest, skiing in Colorado and New Mexico, playing softball in the cul-de-sac, shooting fireworks in the desert, going to stock car races and the rodeo, rollerblading, and in the swimming pool where he frequently did back flips off the diving board holding each one of his kids who wasn't too afraid to take the plunge. His 6-foot-6 frame made Butch the sole Fox in Fox Across the River. He taught his four children to swim by throwing them into the water to sink or swim while he floated nearby to rescue them, if necessary. Butch's wardrobe of patriotic themes reflected his proud American heritage and so did his favorite holiday, the Fourth of July. He was an avid photographer, deep-sea fisherman, tennis player, golfer and racing fan during his lifetime. He especially enjoyed watching spaghetti Westerns and John Wayne movies. Butch and Mary traveled extensively, often with James and Justin to golfing and car racing destinations. He and James spent many years "hustling" a game of golf with business associates and friends. Butch and Mary had a circle of family and friends who were always up for an adventure, whether it was a day on the lake, riding ATVs in the desert and forest, or whirlwind trips to San Francisco and New Orleans. And at the end of an adventurous day, Butch sometimes enjoyed a fine cigar.
He started working at Artcraft Tile Company in junior high school unloading railroad boxcars of tile. He became a tile setter when he graduated high school in 1958 until 1978 when he took over the business and handled project estimating and oversight. Butch earned a reputation as an expert in the tile and stone industry, and was a certified forensic consultant often retained to inspect and report on job problems. He and Artcraft were affiliated with the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) for more than 60 years. He was NTCA president from 1985 to 1987 and chairman of the board from 1987 to 1989. He served on the board of directors until 1996 when Justin took over, and then James took over in 2000. Butch was Tile Person of the Year in 1993, and Ring of Honor recipient in 2007. He served on the NTCA Technical Committee for more than 10 years and is still listed on the Technical Committee as Member Emeritus. He last attended a Technical Committee meeting in 2019 in Nashville, Tenn.
Butch served for more than a decade on homeowners' association boards in Scottsdale and Pine, offering his expertise in construction. Butch and Mary purchased their mountain home in Pine shortly after relocating to Arizona. They loved to escape the Valley heat and enjoy the beautiful weather and breathtaking views of the Tonto National Forest from their deck atop the Mogollon Rim. Sitting on the deck admiring God's work of nature streaming music of the '60s and '70s was Butch's heaven on earth, and he often spoke about how much he appreciated that blessing in his life. He spent several years on a complete renovation of their hillside home alongside his workers, featuring a stunning slate fireplace that was the cabin's centerpiece and custom stone work that shaped slate tile in forest colors into a mural of mountain ridges like those surrounding them.
Butch will be remembered as a dedicated husband and father, and for his decades-long expertise and contributions to his neighborhoods and the tile and stone industry. His big smile, sense of humor, playful sarcasm, and joy for living adventurously will be missed by all who've known and loved him.
Join the Woelfels in remembering the legacy of a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and colleague in a Celebration of Butch's Life. Memorial services are at 10 a.m., Feb. 25, at Messinger Mortuaries, 7601 E. Indian Road Scottsdale, Arizona, 85251, 480-945-4521, followed by burial at Paradise Memorial Gardens, 9300 E Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85260. We appreciate the outpouring of prayers, love and support, thank you.
