Elmer E. "Butch" Read III

Elmer E. "Butch" Read III, age 74, passed peacefully on Friday, October 4th, with family by his side after a valiant battle against cancer.
Born in Wilmington, DE on June 7, 1950, he grew up in Newark, DE graduating from Christiana High School and the University of Delaware. He was a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity at Delaware. Butch began his career as a science educator primarily in the Christina School District. He was also an entrepreneur becoming a successful businessman as owner of several Dairy Queen franchises, owning and managing several apartment units in New Castle County and running a successful Christmas tree enterprise for many years. He was driven to succeed and provide a wonderful life for his family.
He was an active member of the Newark United Methodist Church serving on many committees over the years. He had a passion for travel and golf. He also was a connoisseur of wine and proud of the wine cellar he constructed in his home, which included many bottles collected during his extensive travels.
Butch was a dedicated family man who loved his family intensely. He was always available to provide help and support whether it was for his wife, children, parents, siblings or nieces and nephews.
Butch was preceded in death by his first wife, Winona Mae S. Read (1996), his parents, Joan and Elmer E. Read, Jr., mother-in-law, Louise Goddin, his sister, MaryBeth Huey, and sister-in-law, Anne White. He is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Elizabeth G. "Betsy" Read, his sons, Stephen Read (Tara) and Frank Smith (Diana), his daughter, Christina Read (Marisa) and his beloved grandchildren: Aiden, Emma, Breanna, Cailyn and Kenzie. In addition, he will be missed by his siblings, Franklin "Bud" Read (Dorinda), Linda Read and Donna Pleasanton, his brothers-in-law, Jim White and Christopher Huey, and a host of nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5 pm until 7 pm on Friday, October 18, 2024, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE. A second visitation will be held from 9 am until 10 am on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Newark United Methodist Church, 69 East Main Street, Newark, DE 19711, where a memorial service will begin at 10:15 am, which will also be livestreamed at the Newark United Methodist Church YouTube channel. A private interment for the family will follow at the Hickory Grove Cemetery in Port Penn, DE.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Butch's memory to Delaware AeroSpace Education Foundation – DASEF, 5 Essex Drive, Bear, Delaware 19701 or online by clicking here; or the Friends of Cooch's Bridge Historic Site, P.O. Box 85, Montchanin, DE 19710 or online by clicking here; or to the Newark United Methodist Church designated to the Renewing Our Foundation campaign, at the address above or online by clicking here. If you are unable to attend, raise a glass of your favorite wine to celebrate Butch's life and legacy.