Paul Frederick Butler's Obituary
Paul Frederick Butler, 73, of Boston went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at his residence. He was the fifth of seven children born to the late George Richard Butler Sr. and Beatrice Weaver Butler. Known as Freddie to family and friends, he always had a story or joke to share. He never met a stranger. He loved everybody and everybody loved him.
Freddie accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior when he was a boy. He never missed an opportunity to witness to others. Even as a boy, he had a servant’s heart as he ministered to his Grandmother Weaver and performed his daily chores at his beloved home in the foothills of Boston, Virginia. He loved and cherished all of his six siblings and many close cousins, who were more like brothers and sisters. He married the love of his life, Linda, on July 2, 1961 and they made their home in Boston, Virginia.
Freddie enjoyed visiting with people and sharing their company, usually bringing food or some small gift to make them feel special. His gift was giving. He showed the love of Christ to everyone he met. There never was a day that went by that he didn’t bring joy to another. Whether it was during his ceaseless visitations to provide care and company to those who needed it, his lighthearted conversation around the dinner table, or while watching a ballgame, he lifted your spirits and brightened your day. His commitment to visiting the elderly, sick and shut in is well known. He will be remembered for his efforts to comfort others while sharing the gospel of Jesus. Through his personal physical challenges in this life, God allowed him to minister to others in a way that truly exemplified the love of Christ. He joyfully obeyed God as he acted as the hands and feet of Christ to his community.
The father of three children, Paula, Natalie and Paul, he loved being a grandfather to his nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He also enjoyed his role as loving Uncle to ten nieces and eight nephews and Great Uncle to their thirty-four children. Everyone loves Uncle Freddie. Extended family ties and bonds were held in highest regard by Freddie and he loved the times he shared with his many aunts, uncles and cousins. Precious Memories. His home was always open to his family, church family and friends to stop by for a visit or to share a delicious meal. Freddie loved good, home cookin’, often complimenting the cook that it was the best he’d ever had and his comments were always sincere. If small children were around, Freddie was on the floor playing with them and loving on them every chance he got. He loved children.
He touched so many people’s lives in his time with us. Family and friends remember him for the love and cheerfulness he shared with us all. We are blessed to have known such a caring and generous man. The light that flashed in his eyes when one of his enormous grins stole across his face will never be forgotten. He will always be in our loving memory. We love you so very much and we’ll miss you until we see you again in Heaven.
Freddie is waiting for all of us now. Please don’t miss out on an eternity with God in Heaven. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Amen.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Butler, three children, Paula Sims and her husband, Danny of Boston, Natalie Keithley and her husband, Scott of Warrenton and Paul Butler, II and his wife, Anna of Hampton, VA, five siblings, Jane Thornhill, George Butler, Jr., Markwood Butler, Jean Gibbs and Maurice Butler, and his mother and father-in-law, Margie and Curtis Cooper of Leon.
Additional survivors include nine grandchildren, Erin Shaffer and her husband, Matthew, Patrick Sims, Corey Sims, Bram Sims, Brandon Keithley, Rachel Keithley, Grant Keithley, Kaela Butler and Bella Rose Butler, and three great grandchildren, Haleigh, Olivia and Keegan Shaffer.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Wayne Butler.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 17, 2012 from 6 to 8 pm at Mount Lebanon Baptist Church in Scrabble, VA.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 18, 2012 at 2 pm at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel, 850 Sperryville Pike, Culpeper, with Pastor Dallas Smith officiating.
Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery.
His grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Mount Lebanon Baptist Church, 19 Scrabble Rd., Boston, VA 22713.
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is handling the arrangements.
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