Edward Berton Butler

Edward “Ace” Berton Butler died peacefully on March 2, 2018 at Wake Medical Center in Raleigh, NC. He was surrounded by his children. Edward was born January 7, 1941 in Wadesboro, North Carolina. He was the only son of Berton and Lois C. Butler. He grew up in Rockingham, NC and graduated from Rockingham High School in 1959. After graduation, he attended NC State University where he studied Mechanical Engineering. After college, he became an engineer. He worked for the Department of Transportation for more than thirty years designing traffic signal systems across the state of North Carolina.
Edward loved his family, his friends, and the NC State Wolfpack. He was rarely seen without his NC State hat and supported his beloved Wolfpack through thick and thin. Ed was a jack-of-all trades. He liked to learn about everything - history, NASCAR, woodworking, pottery, and cooking. His love of art and music was evident in every facet of his life and he enjoyed sharing that love with his children and grandchildren, whether it was taking them to the Science Museum, the Art Museum, or introducing them to Billie Holliday and George Gershwin.
Perhaps Edward’s greatest joy was the love he had for his children and grandchildren. He encouraged all of them to achieve, supported them in their college and career choices, cheered at their baseball games and recitals, showed them how to cast a fishing line, and was ready with a listening ear when they came for advice. He is survived by his children, Jim Butler and his wife Debbie, Shawn Butler and his wife Jessica, and Noël Butler and her husband Ken Harbert, his grandchildren, Ryan Butler, Drew Butler, Hali Hatting and her husband Daniel, Jacob Butler, Edward Butler, Hobson Butler, Herriott Butler, Katherine Guidry, and Patrick Guidry, and his two great-grandchildren, Clarissa Hatting and Eleanor Hatting. His family and friends will remember his kind spirit, his amazing sense of humor, his easy-going nature, and his loving generosity.
A celebration of Edward Butler’s life will be held for friends and family to visit and share their stories together. The visitation will be at Watson King Funeral Home in Rockingham from 4:00 pm until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 8th.

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