Butts, who studied music at a young age, started in business in Kansas City, but entered the evangelism field in 1888. His works include:
- Tears and Triumphs No. 4, with Lycurgus Pickett & William Marks (Louisville, Kentucky: Pentecostal Publishing Company, 1910)
- Good News Hymns (Chicago, Illinois: The Biglow & Main Company, 1914)