George “Howard” Butler, 79, of Elizabethton, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, March 30, 2015, at Johnson City Medical Center, following a brief illness, of 6-8 weeks. George was born in Buladean, N.C., on August 17, 1935, a son of the late Johnie and Vista Campbell Butler. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters.
Mr. Butler was a veteran of the United States Air Force, having served four years. He had worked at Speery and Magnavox, before graduating from Elizabethton Business College, where he earned his B.S. Degree. He then worked for the City of Elizabethton from 1972 until his retirement in 1996, having held positions in the accounting department and the building department. Later he worked at South East Apparel and for the last 15 years, until his sickness, he worked at Mayes Brother Tools. He was a very hard worker and put everyone before himself. He loved working outside, especially in his big garden, every year.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Gloria Jane Treadway Combs-Butler, to whom he would have been married 25 years on June 30, 2015; a son, Timothy “Tim” Butler and his partner, Jay Matheney, of Nashville; two step-sons and one daughter-in-law, Jamie and Jennifer Combs and Jody Combs; one god-daughter and husband, Heather and Andy Anderson, all of Elizabethton; two grandchildren, Danielle Combs and Samuel “Sam” Anderson, the light of his life; one sister, Pansy Michael, Akron, Ohio; one brother-in-law, J.B. Treadway and wife Thelma, of North Carolina, and Diane Treadway, of Elizabethton; his Greer family; his former wife and mother of his son, Ruth Greer James; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, George Frank Greer and wife Nadine, Norman Greer and wife Peanut and Rene Greer. Also many nieces and nephews survive, as well as his very special friends, Brenda and Frank Grindstaff and Christine Bartz. Also his fur baby, “Go Go,” who he spoiled completely.
The family will hold a celebration of life service to honor the life of George Howard Butler at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at Grace Baptist Church with Rev. Ron Owens officiating. Friends and family may call at the home at anytime. It was Howard’s wish to be cremated and a private graveside service will be conducted at a later date. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers, may make donations to Eastside Freewill Baptist Church, 704 Siam Road, Elizabethton, TN 37643; or to Grace Baptist Church, 1114 Broad Street Extension, Elizabethton, TN 37643.