May 7, 1940 ~ July 15, 2016
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Francis Wayne Butler, 76, Commander, United States Navy Retired,
passed away at home July 15, 2016. “Wayne” to his family and
“Frank” to his friends, he is survived by his wife of 53 years,
Maggie Butler; his brother, Steven Butler and wife, Becky of
Fayetteville, GA and his sister, Carol Foy and husband, Louis of
Pollocksville, NC.
Frank was preceded in death his parents, William Loyce and Bertie
Lee Butler.
Born May 7, 1940 in Georgetown, SC, Frank grew up in Mt.
Pleasant, SC, before graduating from the US Naval Academy in
1963. After serving briefly on Navy destroyers, he applied for flight
school and earned his wings as a Navy pilot in 1967. He served
three tours in Southeast Asia including a tour in Viet Nam as a pilot
with Helicopter Attack Squadron Three where he flew 650 armed
combat missions, earning numerous decorations including the
Distinguished Flying Cross, 27 Strike Flight Air medals, and two
Navy Commendations for Valor. In a later tour, as part of the initial
cadre for Operation End Sweep, he piloted the first flight into
Haiphong, North Viet Nam on the days immediately following the
end of the Viet Nam War. Frank served in a total of 14 operational
and senior leadership positions and retired from the Navy after a
total of 31 years. He was fond of saying that the Navy never felt
like a job because he loved serving his country.
Frank and Maggie retired to Bentonville, Arkansas in 1989. His love
for the area made it home. During his years in Arkansas he became
an avid Rotarian, and was involved with the Ozark Society. A
lifelong bird hunter and outdoorsman, Frank served many years on
the committee for Benton County Quail and spent countless days in
the woods and fields with his beloved Brittany Spaniels.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of choice.
Visitation will be held at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services in
Rogers on Tuesday, July 19th from 6-8 PM. Rosary at 7:30.
The funeral will be held at St. Stephens Catholic Church in
Bentonville on Wednesday, July 20th at 10 AM.
Burial services will be at Mt. Pleasant Memorial Gardens in Mt.
Pleasant, SC, Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 2:00PM.
Copyright 2015 Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services, 2898 West Walnut, Rogers, Arkansas 72756 479-631-1353
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