Silas Edward Butler, Jr.'s Obituary
Silas Silas “Ed” Edward Butler, Jr., 92, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, April 23, 2012. Born in Memphis on January 25, 1920, he was a lifelong resident of Memphis. Ed was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Helen Elizabeth Bunnell Butler. Helen & Ed met at Humes High School, were married on August 20, 1942 at Decatur Street Christian Church and were truly part of the greatest generation. Ed was a World War II veteran who served his tour of duty in the Pacific Marianas Islands with an Honorable Discharge as a Captain in the U.S. Army Air Corp serving in Guam & Saipan. During his career, Ed was a salesman with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for 15 years. Ed worked for the Memphis Transit Authority for 20 years, back when it was called the Memphis Street Railway and trolley cars were not retro, but the original thing. Following in his father’s footsteps, as the 1933 Memphis City Bowling Champion, Ed captured the same title in 1946 when he came home from the War. He was later inducted into the Memphis Bowling Association Hall of Fame. Ed was the son of Bessie Mae Spaulding Butler and Silas Edward Butler, Sr. of Memphis. He was the youngest of three children and was preceded in death by his identical twin sisters (Gertrude & Elizabeth), who were the first twins born at the Baptist Hospital in Memphis. He grew up at First United Methodist Church and was active at Macon Christian Church with his wife Helen. Ed is survived by three children; Michael Edward Butler and his wife Liz of Greensboro, GA, Mark Cecil Butler of Austin, TX, and Kathy Jeanne Butler of Memphis; four grandchildren; Teri Joyce Gibson and husband Alan of Montrose, CO; Melissa Lynne Nordan and husband Cary of Raleigh, NC; identical twins Kelly Diane Butler & Katharine Leigh Butler of Austin, TX; six great grandchildren; Ellie Ruth Gibson, Braden James Gibson, Tatum Anne Gibson, Henley Alexander Benton Nordan; Lottie Butler Nordan; and Brahm Jack Silas Nordan. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 26, 2012, at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery. Funeral service will be at 11:30 on Friday, April 27, 2012. Memorial contributions may be made to Ave Maria Home or charity of your choice.
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