Ret. USAF Master Sgt Ernest E Butler Sr.

Ernest E. Butler, 81 of Austin, passed away on July 11, 2019. The family will be accepting guests at Cook Walden Forest Oaks Funeral Home from 11:00am to 1:00pm on Saturday, July 20, 2019. Funeral services will begin at 1:00pm in Cook Walden Forest Oaks Chapel following the reception. Entombment will follow at Onion Creek Memorial Park. Services will be led by Pastor Russell Allen of Woodlawn Baptist Church with bagpipes being played by Michael Olson and military honors performed by the United States Air Force.

Ernest was born on March 3, 1938 in Chicago, Illinois to Ernest Reyer and Maude Ellen (Evans) Butler. On January 14, 1957, he enlisted in the United States Air Force until his retirement on December 31, 1979 after 22 years and 11 months of honorable service to his country. Upon his discharge, he had achieved the rank of Retired United States Air Force Master Sergeant. During his time in the service, Ernest travelled the world and performed many confidential, classified missions. He was awarded numerous badges, commendations, medals, campaign ribbons, and decorations some of which included ribbons listed for activities under Top Secret, Vietnam, Korea, and Indochina tours. To say he was a hero would be an understatement. Ernest loved his country, but his family was always a priority to him.

In 1957, Ernest married Marjory Gayle Kitchen and the two raised three children, Ernest, Jr., Terri, and Ellen. Very much the family man, he did not let their separation in 1980 effect his relationship with his children. In the years following his divorce, Ernest met Chon Se Elms whom he devoted the remainder to his life to. He became like a father to Chon’s sons, Raymond and Jimmy, and treated them as if they were his own. Although the two never married, they were just as much his family as his other three children. As Ernest’s health began to decline, he moved to Heartland Nursing Facility and received exceptional care until his passing.

Ernest is survived by his partner in love and life, Chon Se Elms; children, Ernest Evans Butler, Jr; Terri Jean Butler Grief; and Ellen Kaye Butler Jarrell; stepsons, Raymond Elms and Jimmy Elms; and his extended family.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother.