Edward Kendall "Ken" Butler III

1947 - 2025

Edward Kendall "Ken" Butler III

April 13, 1947 - November 14, 2025

Mount Pleasant, South Carolina - Edward Kendall "Ken" Butler III of Mt Pleasant, died peacefully Friday, November 14, 2025, surrounded by those who loved him. Born in Columbia, he was the son of the late Edward Kendall Butler Jr and Mary King Butler.

Growing up in Columbia, Ken was a member and acolyte of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, a church planted in part by his parents. He was very involved with Boy Scouts of America which allowed he and his father to spend some wonderful quality time together. He demonstrated the Scout's spirit, service, and leadership throughout his life. He was a graduate of A.C. Flora High School and the University of South Carolina where he earned a BS degree in Business Administration. He was a proud member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity where he built lifelong friendships.

Ken's professional business career began as a realtor with Palmetto Dunes in Hilton Head. His most rewarding years of his time in real estate started after he was hired by Joe Edens of Edens and McTeer in Columbia. There he spent over 40 years building a reputation of excellence and achievements in the industry. While working with Edens and Avant, he served as Sales Manager for over 10 years and was known for his integrity, leadership, and fairness with all of his agents. He was a consistent member of the Greater Columbia Association of Realtors' Million Dollar Club and a Circle of Excellence life member. During his career, Ken contributed to and participated in multiple multi-million-dollar sales and accumulated friends in each business transaction. He was known for his kind demeanor and always positive attitude. Always.

Ken never met a stranger. He would strike up a conversation if you were in an earshot and within five minutes had made a new best friend. Anyone who had the blessing of knowing Ken also knew that this was a man that loved to laugh. He was always finding humor in even the most trying times to add levity and perspective to a situation. Even when his jokes fell flat, he still laughed which then made everyone else smile. Being around Ken had that effect - you were going to smile for sure. He was also a man that loved to cook and so enjoyed sharing recipes with his daughters. Tik-Tok became a favorite place for him to find new creations particularly as it became harder for him to do the cooking. He liked to share in hopes that his family would make what he had found.

His "can do" attitude was with him literally to the very end doing everything that the doctors and the physical therapists asked of him with a joke and a smile, a trait to be admired for sure.

Nothing lit his face up more than talking about his daughters and grandchildren. He loved hearing everything about them and was their biggest cheerleader. As his health declined he could not be physically present but sure wanted the details of what event had taken place from the mundane to the big - he listened and so wanted to be a part of it: he wanted Clay's basketball stats, and what the latest was with school because he was so proud that Ava went to his alma mater. He loved to talk about surfing with Ashley and fishing with Kendall. He sure loved to fish.

His most treasured person on earth was his wife, Deanie. They endured much in their 53 years together and they always stuck by each other's side. The vows they made on August 24,1974 were lived throughout their entire marriage. Theirs was a beautiful love story that leaves a legacy.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Brittany Anne Butler. Ken is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Deanie Gilbert Butler, his daughter, Ashley Butler Chakeris (Taso), three wonderful grandchildren, Kendall, Ava and Clay Chakeris, and three sisters Mary Ann Sharpe (Bob), Buff Winter and Jan Butler.

Ken will be remembered as a gentle, kind man. A man that always said the biggest gift the Lord gave him here on earth was his family. A man who knew the ultimate gift was Jesus Christ himself and he told of his Savior all the day long. He will be immensely missed. The family plans to have a private service celebrating his life. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Seacoast Church, 750 Long Point Road, Mount Pleasant SC 29464.

Arrangements are by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel. A memorial message may be sent to the family on our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.