Francis Wayne Butler

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United States Naval Academy

Francis Butler Obituary

CDR Francis Wayne Butler, USN (Ret.) BENTONVILLE, AR - 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. Graveside services will be at Mt. Pleasant Memorial Gardens in Mt. Pleasant, SC on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 2:00PM with full military honors. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston

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Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Jul. 19 to Jul. 20, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Francis Butler

13 Entries

Christian G.

December 11, 2024

I met Frank in 1981at the USNTM in Dharan, KSA, and subsequently his wife Maggie.
They hosted me as a lonesome French Navy guy lost in the sands of this Magic Kingdom.
I'll remember forever this gentle couple and more so Cdr Butler who is flying high skies.

Kay Parsons

January 22, 2022

Maggie I hope you are well. Frank was my last Air Ops boss. He was much kinder than he let on and Maggie was lovely. I remember sitting their Saluki and being terrified I´d lose her as she had a will of her own. He was a good man.

Lynn and Dave Ebert

July 13, 2021

My memories of Wayne is a very energetic young man always organizing something. His soon to be wife was always supportive to him. We share the same day for our weddings- June 8th , 1963. We thought we knew what was coming.

Lynn and Dave Ebert

August 2, 2016

Fran let us know of Wayne's passing and we were very sorry to get the news. Dave and I live in Annapolis and have a few contacts with classmates. We will share this information. I will remember Wayne as quite a tease and always in for a fun ride. I hope that you are in good health and still have your sense of humor. Our sympathy to you.

Susan Toole

July 30, 2016

Maggie, I am so sorry to hear of Wayne's passing. You and all his family are in my thoughts and prayers. I only met him once when I was one of your students at St. Francis, but I remember him as a very nice man.

joseph Meyer

July 26, 2016

He was a walking encyclopedia that only let you know when you needed an education. He would give you the shirt off his back. He loved this country.

Joseph Meyer

July 26, 2016

He was a walking encyclopedia who only let you know when you needed an education. He often gave 'the shirt' off his back to help others.

Frank "Frito" Vazquez

July 21, 2016

Frank Butler; "Bootler" as many of us called him, was a true giant!! He had a heart of gold and as big as the moon; he was truly the best friend anyone could ask for. I owe a lot to Frank and Maggie Bootler...they introduced me to my wife, they took me under their wings and gave me a reason to get up every morning. Bootler brought so many of us together and made life fun. Hardly a week went by that the Bootler's did'nt have something positive going on. We're all a little less today; however, I know you are already organizing fun stuff in heaven. We will keep you in our prayers...it was a pleasure and a honor sharing the skies with you. Fair winds and following seas and may you always enjoy CAVU days.

Gale Napoliello

July 21, 2016

Frank Butler was one of a kind! A dear friend with a heart of gold and joyous spirit. I met Frank, or "Bootler" as we called him, in Puerto Rico where we shared many wonderful times filled with much laughter and great FUN! He and Maggie brought us all together to form unforgettable memories that still, after 30 years, bring smiles to all our faces. Heaven will never be the same now that Bootler is up there. Party on dear friend and take care until we all meet again.

Bobby Cordray

July 20, 2016

Frank picked me up out of Haiphong North Vietnam in Feb 1973 in an H-3 and took me to USS Worden. I had been in North Vietnam about ten days in Hanoi, Khe Nan, and Haiphong and was elated to feel secure in the arms of the US Navy again. I was on that first flight that Frank flew from Haiphong and I gave him a note on that noisey helicopter expressing my gratitude. He flew me back into North Vietnam a day later and I remained there for several more months dealing with minesweeping on Operation End Sweep as a Navy Lieutenant. Fly on, Frank, you've saved all the guys you can save and we all love you.
CAPT Mike West, USN ret.

B. Banks

July 20, 2016

To the wife and family, my thoughts and condolences are with all of you. May the God of all comfort continue to be with each of you during your time of bereavement.

Bobby Cordray

July 20, 2016

Rest in Peace Commander!!

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