Ernest Butler, Jr.

AIKEN – Ernest Butler, Jr., 80, died after an extended illness Wednesday September 22, 2010 at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday at Memorial Baptist Church with the Reverend Steve Gillette and the Reverend Jim Kirk officiating. Interment will follow in Graniteville Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the Church. Pallbearers will be Pete Butler, Thomas Butler Jr., Bob Lawson, Tom Garvin, Ralph Mosely, Wallace Fortson, Larry Key, and Marvin Stanley. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Memorial Baptist Church Stair Climbers Sunday School Class. Ernest was born in Graniteville, SC, a son of the late Ernest Sr. and Maude Lee Floyd Butler. He was a lifelong resident of Aiken graduating from Aiken High School. He worked 37 years with A&P beginning at age 14 on Laurens St in Aiken. At 51 he learned a new trade as a machinist for FMC and helped build Bradley fighting vehicles until his retirement. Ernest was a devoted member of Memorial Baptist Church, serving as Sunday School Teacher, Deacon, and other roles over the years. While Ernest took pride in all that he undertook, he was most devoted to teaching the scriptures. He adopted fishing as his other main relaxation and frequently made memories for himself and his fishing partners. Ernest is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Jean Wenzel Butler. Also a daughter, Donna Lee Butler (Michael) Hendrick and a son, Tommy (Chris) Butler, Aiken; two grandchildren, Thomas Butler Jr., Aiken and Peter Butler, Clemson; a sister Juanita (TJ) Key, Aiken and a brother, Ansel Butler, Aiken. Memorials may be directed to Memorial Baptist Church, 3100 Vaucluse Rd, Aiken, SC 29801, or to Regency Hospice, 105 Summerwood Way, Suite D, Aiken, SC 29803. Mr. Butler’s online Guest Book may be signed at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME INC., 924 Hayne Ave. Aiken, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ernest Butler, Jr., please visit our flower store.