BUTLER FRANCIS WAYNE

CDR Francis "Frank" Wayne Butler was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 07/15/2016 at the age of 76.2
Bentonville, AR
Date of Birth 05/07/1940
Served in the U.S. Navy
Served in Vietnam with HA(L)-3 DET 8 in 69-70
Call sign in Vietnam SEAWOLF
This information was provided by Dan Arnes, Sammie Williams

More detail on this person: Francis Wayne Butler, age 76, Commander, U.S. Navy Retired, passed away at home Friday, July 15, 2016.

He was born May 7, 1940 in Georgetown, South Carolina to William Loyce and Bertie Lee Butler.

He was "Wayne" to his family and "Frank" to his friends.

Frank grew up in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, before graduating from the US Naval Academy in 1963. After serving briefly on Navy destroyers, he applied for flight school and earned his wings as a Navy pilot in 1967. He served three tours in Southeast Asia including a tour in Viet Nam as a pilot with Helicopter Attack Squadron Three where he flew 650 armed combat missions, earning numerous decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross, 27 Strike Flight Air medals, and two Navy Commendations for Valor. In a later tour, as part of the initial cadre for Operation End Sweep he piloted the first flight into Haiphong, North Viet Nam on the days immediately following the end of the Viet Nam war. Frank served in a total of 14 operational and senior leadership positions and retired from the Navy after a total of 31 years. He was fond of saying that the Navy never felt like a job because he loved serving his country.

Frank and Maggie retired to Bentonville, Arkansas, in 1989. His love for the area made it home. During his years in Arkansas he became an avid Rotarian, and was involved with the Ozark Society. A lifelong bird hunter and outdoorsman, Frank served many years on the committee for Benton County Quail and spent countless days in the woods and fields with his beloved Brittany Spaniels.

Frank was preceded in death his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Maggie Butler; his brother, Steven Butler (and his wife, Becky) of Fayetteville, Georgia; and his sister, Carol Foy (and her husband, Louis) of Pollocksville, North Carolina.

Visitation will be held at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services in Rogers on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Rosary at 7:30.

The Funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at St. Stephens in Bentonville.

Burial services will be at Mt. Pleasant Memorial Gardens in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina Date is TBD.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers.

Burial: Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens Mount Pleasant Charleston County South Carolina, USA

This information was last updated 07/22/2016

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Date posted on this site: 08/31/2024