Lt. Cmdr. Ralph E. Butler Jr., 80, of Elizabeth City, N.C., died Dec. 4, 2017, in Elizabeth City. After he left the Navy, the retired naval aviator worked in security with Pinkerton, and served as a church choir director. He was a member of Demolay and of the VFW. Born July 18, 1937, in Union, he was the son of the late Harriet and Ralph Eugene “Gene” Butler Sr.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years: Judith (Sporleder) Butler; two daughters: Alicia (Daniel Wade) Embree of Imperial and Cathie (Kenneth) Riffle of Virginia Beach, Va.; a sister: Becky Roach of California; a brother: Ron Butler of Texas; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held from 3-6 p.m. Sunday, May 27, at VFW Post 2593, at 2301 Church Road, in Arnold. A committal service and burial with full military honors will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Memorials may be made to the VFW. Arrangements are under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Care and Cremation in Elizabeth City.