Francis Wayne Butler

Francis Wayne Butler, 76, Commander, United States Navy Retired, passed away at home July 15, 2016. "Wayne" to his family and "Frank" to his friends, he is survived by his wife of 53 years, Maggie Butler; his brother, Steven Butler and his wife Becky of Fayetteville, Ga., and his sister Carol Foy and her husband Louis from Pollocksville, N.C. Frank was preceded in death his parents William Loyce and Bertie Lee Butler. Born May 7, 1940 in Georgetown, S.C., Frank grew up in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., 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, Ark., 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. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of choice. Visitation will be held at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services in Rogers on Tuesday July 19 from 6-8 p.m. Rosary at 7:30. The funeral will be held at St. Stephens in Bentonville on Wednesday, July 20 at 10 a.m. Burial services will be at Mt. Pleasant Memorial Gardens in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Date is TBD. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers. Words of comfort may be shared at stockdalefuneral.com.