Hugh Dennis "Butch" Best

Hugh Dennis “Butch” Best, 81, of Sunbury, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his daughters, son-in-law, and his best friend. Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, Butch lived a life defined by passion, determination, laughter, and stories that could turn any stranger into a friend.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Marvin Best and Miggie Pollock Best, and by his brothers J.T. Best, Louis Best, and Harold Best.

Known to everyone simply as “Butch,” he was not a fancy or frilly man. He was as real as they come. He could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere — in a grocery store line, at a gas pump, or sitting in a waiting room — and somehow, some way, that conversation would find its way back to hunting, his guns, or a deer he once tracked. If you were lucky enough to meet him, you were almost guaranteed to leave with a story and probably a few laughs.

Butch began hunting at just 10 years old, sparking a lifelong passion that never faded. He was an avid outdoorsman with a deep respect for nature, but his true love was deer hunting with his guns. He was known for his incredible marksmanship and skill, a craftsman of the hunt who took pride in doing things the right way. Fishing, hunting, and spending time outdoors were not hobbies to him, they were part of who he was.

He built a long and steady career as a freight carman, inspector, and welder with CSX Railroad, where he worked for decades. He took pride in hard work and providing for his family. Later in life, he leaned fully into the things he loved most: hunting, telling stories, singing, dancing, and spending time with family and friends.

Even after a tragic fall from a deer stand left him paralyzed from the waist down, Butch’s passion and determination never wavered. The wheelchair may have changed how he moved, but it never changed who he was. He still sang. He still danced and busted a few moves from that chair. And when it came to hunting, he simply got creative. He found workarounds, engineered solutions, and refused to let anything stop him from doing what he loved.

One of his favorite stories to tell was about the evening he rolled his golf cart while hunting and lay in the woods for hours, hitting a stick against it to keep the coyotes away. He would laugh while telling it and say, “They weren’t getting me.” That was Butch. No matter the obstacle, he found a way through it and made sure he had a story to tell afterward.

He is survived by his three children, Cynthia “Cindy” Buchanan, Marvetta “Margie” Viola and husband, Tony, and Henry “Bo” Best; eight grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. His legacy lives on in each of them, in their strength, their grit, and maybe even in their ability to strike up a conversation with just about anyone.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to his three incredible friends, Scott Mooneyham, Gilbert Modlin, and Mark "Seagull" Ashley. Their loyalty, friendship, and willingness to step up and help Butch whenever he needed it meant more than words can say. The family is also forever grateful to the Meals on Wheels program for the countless meals and friendly faces they brought to him over the years.

Butch’s life was not measured in fancy things or quiet moments. It was measured in early mornings in the woods, in stories told with a grin, in songs sung a little off-key, in dances done from a wheelchair, and in the determination to never quit.

He lived fully. He loved deeply. He hunted passionately. And he leaves behind a family — and a whole lot of stories — that will carry him forward for generations to come.

A graveside service celebrating Butch’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at the Damascus Christian Church Cemetery, 84 NC-32, Sunbury, NC with Tony Viola officiating.

Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, NC is assisting the Best family with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com