Ernest Paul Butler

Ernest is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joan Butler; daughters Karen Wallace, Marlene Jacobs, and Annette Fettis; along with 6 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

Ernie, born in Youngstown, Ohio was the only child born to Neva and Fern Butler. As a child, his family relocated to Riverside, California to enjoy the warmer climate. His youth was spent riding bicycles through orange groves and getting into mischief with his friends. As a teen he took an interest in science, was a member of the track team and ROTC. He graduated from Riverside Polytechnic High School in 1954.

Ernie stayed in contact with his childhood friends until the time of his passing. He graduated from Northrop Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering Technology and earned his master’s degree in Management Science from West Coast University. Ernie met the love of his life Joan while working for AeroJet in Sacramento, and she would be by his side for 56 years.

Over a 30-year span, Ernie worked on many projects for McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company, and his crowning achievement was working on the Delta Clipper team, which was later inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame. Ernie enjoyed being the neighborhood “fix-it man”, held passions for traveling the country in his RV, amateur piloting, community volunteering and was active in his church community. A devoted husband, father, and friend, he will be greatly missed, as he now tends to the squirrels in heaven’s gardens.