Edward H. Butler Jr. departed to see Jesus on June 26, 2023, peacefully in his sleep at home with his family. He was born in Dover on February 10, 1936 to Edward H. Butler Sr. and Mrs. Julia Ennis Butler. He grew up in his favorite place, Seaford and graduated from Seaford High School in 1954. He entered the U.S. Air Force after graduating and served both stateside and abroad in Turkey. He met the love of his life in Kansas at church, and they were married in November of 1957.
He left the military in 1959 and returned to his hometown of Seaford to begin working in the family business Butler’s Sewing Center. He was an active member of his church Victory Tabernacle Church of God in Laurel. He served with Seaford Associated Charities for about 50 years, helping needy families around the area. In addition, he was active in city of Seaford politics, was on the city council, and served as mayor of Seaford, dedicating 30 years of service to the city. This led to him becoming an honorary and proud member of the Seaford Volunteer Fire Department.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years Shirley I. Butler; his daughter Penny Butler Mears (Perry) of Newark, DE; his son Douglass Alan Butler (Sherry) of Seaford; his daughter Sandy Butler Gregory (Daryl) of Cleveland, TN, and his daughter Kelly Butler Close (Alex) of Newark, DE. In addition, he is survived by 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held at Cranston Funeral Home, 300 N. Shipley St., Seaford on Thursday night June 29 from 6- 8 p.m. On Friday, June 30, additional visitation hours will be available from 10-11 a.m. followed immediately by a celebration of life at Victory Tabernacle Church of God, 28261 Seaford Rd., Laurel, DE. Burial will be in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro.
To leave a condolence visit www.cranstonfuneralhome.com.