Ret. Maj. Kenneth Dale Butler

Major Kenneth Dale Butler Sr., 86 has slipped the surly bonds of earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings on his

last earthly mission. He quietly past away in Austin, Texas on February 20, 2019 from complications following successful heart surgery.

A vast library of knowledge has closed its pages to us and, too late. Handsome and fun loving, adored by women and admired by men, one of eight children, Kenneth had unending stories of love and adventure that kept all around him mesmerized. As a child, in the hills of Richwood, West Virginia, on his walk to school each day he would stop at the library in town, check out a book and soon return it, often the next day, and repeat the process until he had read every book on the shelves. A voracious reader, his thirst

for knowledge was unending and it led him to travel around the world to experience all he possibly could and bring those adventures home to regale friends and family with such vivid descriptions and detail that they oft thought they too had flown in jet fighters, walked the trails of Machu Picchu, explored Europe, fly fished in Alaska and Wyoming or rode in an ox cart in Cambodia with his equally adventurous daughter Kate.

Awarded the Bronze Star, Ken joined the Air Force after high school. He served as an enlisted man and subsequently was selected for Officer Candidates School. After commissioning, he attended navigator training with a follow-on assignment to B-36 "Peacemaker"crew duties. From that assignment, he transitioned to the Air Defense Command, flying as a Radar Intercept Officer in F-101 Voodoo's. His next flying assignment was as a Weapon Systems Officer in the RF-4C Phantom. He flew combat missions in the Vietnam War, serving both at Tan Son Nhut AFB in Saigon and at Udorn AFB, Thailand. He was later assigned to the 62 TRS at Shaw AFB, South Carolina, and in the 38TRS at Ramstein AFB and at Zweibrucken AFB, FRG. While stationed in Germany, Ken was selected to fly for his Wing in two Royal Flush Tactical Reconnaissance competitions. His final assignment was to the 12TRS at Bergstrom AFB in Austin, Texas.

Kenneth chose Lakeway, Texas to be his home when he retired and loved LOVED his dream job as the Head Marshall at The Hills golf course for many years, pursuing his other passion in life and soothing his soul. On the link, Kenneth skillfully managed to shoot below his age.

He has always been a sparkler in the darkness and will be missed by his children, Ken Butler Jr., Beth Chambers, Chet Butler, Kate Butler and Christy Craig Wilt. Sorely missed, so very, very missed by his family Herb & Sue Butler, brother Kyle & Pam Butler and all his grand and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers please donate to "Austin Honor Flight" in the name of Major Kenneth D. Butler.

A remembrance will be held at The Hills Golf Course on April 16th 2019 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.

Condolences can be sent to Kate & Chet Butler at 15 Stoney Creek Cove, Lakeway, TX 78734.