Bill Butler

Harry William “Bill” Butler, Jr., 86, of Winchester, Virginia peacefully passed away on Monday, June 28.

Mr. Butler was born on March 26, 1924, the son of the late Harry William Butler, Sr. and Marguerite Barr Butler. He attended local schools and graduated from Handley High School in 1942. He studied at Virginia Polytechnic Institute until he volunteered for military duty in January 1943. He then served in the European Theatre until 1945. Following his military tenure, he married the former Rose Ellen Ramsburg of Berryville, Virginia, on October 22, 1945.

Prior to retirement, Bill was involved in the apple industry and in local real estate. He was also active in local politics for a number of years. He served on the Democratic Committee and was on the Winchester City Council for 20 years. He was a member and past president of the Kiwanis Club. He was Vice-Chairman and Treasurer of the Winchester-Frederick County Civil War Centennial Commission for 1961 to 1965. For 20 years Bill served as Chairman of the Veterans Council and was in charge of the annual Veterans Day and Memorial Day celebration. He was instrumental in having a Veterans Memorial erected in Shenandoah Memorial Park.

Surviving with his wife, Rose Ellen, of 65 years are his son, Harry William Butler, III and his wife, Linda of Nokesville, Virginia; his daughter Elizabeth Carrington Butler of Winchester, Two grandsons, Harry William Butler, IV of Centreville, Virginia and Morgan Wyatt Butler and his wife, Casey of Charlottesville, Virginia; his sister Anne Butler Vaughan and her husband, John of Galax Virginia, and his sister-in-law, Nancy Harrell Butler of Winchester, Virginia. His special companion and trusted chihuahua, Katie.

A funeral service will be conducted on Friday at 2:00 PM at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel with Reverend Thomas Berlin, nephew of the deceased, officiating. Interment will be in the Shenandoah Memorial Park with Military Honors being accorded by VFW Post 2123 of Winchester, Virginia. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6:00-8:00 PM at Omps Funeral Home.

Pallbearers for Mr. Butler will be Julian D. Berlin, Charles L. Ramsburg, Richard E. Ramsburg, Stuart E. Butler, J. Thomas Butler and William B. Vaughan.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jack M. Phillips, Donald W. Stewart, Charles Pine, Richard L. Adams, George H. Garber, Harold D. Patton, Donald E. Ratcliff, C. Ward Snyder and Michael M. Foreman.

Memorial contributions may be made to Braddock Street United Methodist Church, 115 Wolfe Street, Winchester, Virginia, 22601 or the VFW Honor Guard, c/o VFW Post 2123, 200 Sulky Drive, Winchester, Virginia 22602.

Please view obituaries, tribute wall and guestbook at www.ompsfuneralhome.com.