Joe Ray Butler, 83, of Elizabethton, passed away Thursday, July 21, 2016, at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center following an extended illness.
A native of Mitchell County, N.C., he was a son of the late William and Mary Ellen Carver Butler but resided most of his life in Carter County.
Mr. Butler served in the Army during the Korean Conflict. He was employed at Mapes Piano String Company for 42 years. He was an immense supporter of the Unaka Softball Team and the athletics department.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte Sue Butler. He was also preceded in death by siblings, Zonia Butler, Ermine Butler, Junior Butler, Wilma Clements and Betty Bailey.
Survivors include his two sons, Michael Joel Butler and Eddie Butler and his wife Tammy of Elizabethton; a daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ellen and Ron Brookman of Bristol, Tenn.; five grandchildren, Benji, Skylar, Lindsey, Kelsie and Amber; one great-grandchild, Asher; and siblings, Lavetta Street and husband Ted of Atlanta, Ga., Jenny Garland and husband Lloyd of Mitchell County, N.C., and J.C. Butler and wife Myrtle of Mitchell County, N.C.
Funeral services for Joe Ray Butler will be conducted at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 24, at Memorial Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Estel Williams officiating. Graveside services and interment will be at 1:45 p.m. Monday, July 25, in the Mountain Home National Cemetery, Johnson City. Military Honors will be accorded by the Carter County Honor Guard. Active pallbearers, who are requested to assemble at the funeral home at 1 p.m. Monday, will be Mark Musick, Billy Ingram, Benji Butler, Wayne Bailey, Ronnie Bailey, Dale Welborn, Ford Townsend and Joe Street. Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Tipton, Chad Brockwell and the staff at Climate Controls Heating and Cooling. The family would like to send a special “Thank You” to the Amedisys Hospice staff, Carman, Gail, Debbie and Emily, and the VA staff and C Ward nurses. The family will receive friends from 2 until 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Friends may also visit at the residence. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 1 p.m. Monday to go to the cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website at www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Butler family.