William Joseph Butters (born January 10, 1951 in St. Paul, Minnesota) is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played 217 games in the World Hockey Association and 72 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Minnesota Fighting Saints, Houston Aeros, Edmonton Oilers, New England Whalers, and Minnesota North Stars. He was an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota from 1986 to 1995.