Junior, such a kind and compassionate friend from our old neighborhood, Petworth.
Everlasting Peace to his family & friends.

Ernie Butler was an enduring exemplar for the entire U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1973. His quiet courage stood out tall and wide for all his classmates when he was rated as a "total resistor" during intensive and very realistic torture and survival training during the Summer of 1974. He was also even more than that singular accomplishment throughout our four demanding years together at one of the toughest schools in the world.  Ernie's kindness, friendship, and highest standards of professionalism and accomplishment, including the USAFA parachute team, marked him for the rest of his life among our USAFA Class of '73 as a hero for all of us for all time.
Respectfully,
Bruce Wright, Lt Gen, USAF (Ret)
USAFA '73

My sincere condolences to the family of Ernest Butler, Jr.,  I remember his Michael Jackson “Thriller” performance at our 40th high school class reunion.  He was fully committed to the moves!  (Smile)  May Ernest rest in peace.  Class of 1969, Theodore Roosevelt High School, Washington, D.C., Home of the Rough Riders. 

Ernie Butler, USAFA '73, first African American to make the "Wings of Blue" Parachute Team at the USAF Academy; shown with team mates.  The team won the US Nationals in 1971 and 1972, "leaving West Point in the dirt."

         It is hard to express how much I,  along with the other members of 1st Squadron,  Class of '73,  U.S. Air Force Academy,  will miss Ernie.  We were a very tight group for four years and his absence at our 50th reunion this fall will be deeply missed.   He was always a glass half full type of guy with eternal optimism.   Deepest condolences to his family and rest assured he will never be forgotten.

To the family of Jr(Ernest Butler)
I have fond memories of the wonderful Cherry tree in your front yard on Quincy St, where children had a great time.
May you rest in Peace.
Betty Ann Scott 

Hurling oneself out of a perfectly good airplane is never easy, but I had the advantage of Cadet Ernie Butler as my Jump Master for my first solo free-fall parachute jump!  I proudly still wear my parachute jump wings on my AF uniform and am certain most of the credit for this goes to Ernie because of his enthusiasm, kindness, professionalism, patience and courage.  When I look to the heavens, I know I will see Ernie, high in the sky, soaring like an Eagle and always, always with a huge smile on his face..... I will miss you my brother, my comrade and my friend.

Will so miss Ernie at the Academy reunions.  He and his faithful parachute “Sean” left their marks on all his team mates on the parachute team.

Very sorry to hear this. Although i had not seen Earnest in a while i have genuinely happy memories of growing up at Walker Memorial. Church was our nurturing home away from home and i am glad we grew up together! Blessings to the entire Butler family!

My deepest condolences for your loss.  Ernie & I were on the USAFA jump team together and good friends.  He always brought a smile and a laugh to uplift the team .   We had many good times together as a 
 team and I will always remember him as someone who exemplified what others should strive to be (except dancing).    God Bless you.  

To Ernie's family,
I offer my sincere condolences to you for your lose. Ernie and I were classmates at the US Air Force Academy. He was a true example of the type of person that embodied what the Academy was about. I would have been a better person if I had followed his example.
I have fond memories of our time together. I only wish that we had kept in contact after we graduated.
My thoughts and prayers to you all,
Robert (BG) Gilbert

Joan, Butch, & Sharron, I am so shocked and sorry about Jr's passing. It is hurtful that he has proceeded me in home going.  ( I am 86).  I remember caring for him & Butch when they we 4 and 5 years old and how Jr. ( that's what I called him) used to be so talkative. I used to ask him to take a breath between sentences. He was a very lovable child. May God give you and the family comfort and peace during this time. Love and Hugs. 

My Brother, once my shadow
remembering the good times we had. RIP

I would like to send my condolences to the family and friends 
of a great person a funny and loving person.I will always remember my friend and neighbor who we shared family. Ernest
(aka) Jr you will be so missed in many ways.Thanks for being my friend!
Mary Wilkerson (Arbuckle)

It was my very great honor to know Earnie ever since that first day in 1969 when we waited in line together to begin our career at USAFA.  Ever cheerful, we often shared a laugh when we saw one another and asked, "Are you still here?"  After graduation we found ourselves in the same squadron at Pope AFB.  Ever the over-achiever, Earnie was a much sought after crew member: professional, personable and implicitly trusted by all who had the privilege of having him at the Navigator station.  We shall miss you sir.  Godspeed good friend.

Junior was always life of party, especially doing his MJ. My sincere condolences to my family, especially his children and siblings.  He will be missed. Rest in Paradise🙏🏽🙏🏽💔💔

Ernie and I were classmates and visited Japan Self-Defense Academy before our senior year.  Few spoke English as we traveled around Japan, but they kept confusing us.  I explained "Ernie is black; Ron is white."  They said "All you Americans look alike!"  That broke the ice and we all laughed.  We spoke 'mock-Japanese' to them and it cracked them up.  They spoke 'mock-American' by saying "Woof, woof".  We laughed so hard we cried!  Ernie was a great ambassador for the Air Force.
Ron Taylor, USAF class of 73'

Ernie was a classmate, a squadron mate, and close friend of mine at the Academy. He was one of the most focused and determined individuals I have ever known. He had an iron will and was not one to look back, but always ahead. When he wasn’t looking serious, which was often, he had a quick, quirky smile and an infectious laugh. Life at the academy was often difficult but having Ernie for a friend made it a lot easier.

Fifty years ago he had big plans for his life, had mapped them out in great detail, and was fully committed to bringing them to fruition. I hope he achieved them all. The impact that he had on my life during our four years together is reflected in the deep sense of loss and pain I feel at his passing. I will miss you, my friend.


Ernie Bulter was not an acquaintance of mine.  But I did sit next to him on the ground, blind-folded in a tent in the Rocky Mountains. We were experiencing SERE Training (AF escape and survival training).We were interrogated, beaten, harassed and intimidated to our limits.
Ernie was the bravest, most noble soul I had ever seen. He confounded our captives and made an indelible impression upon me for life.


Ernie was a "Fun One" classsmate for all four years at the Academy.  He never did anything without a smile on his face.  When he would jog anywhere he would always have his back straight and strong and totally focused on where he was going.  His loss will leave a hole in this world which will never be filled.  I am proud to say he was my squadron mate for all four years

I was a classmate of Ernie’s at the Academy and fellow Teammate on the Parachute Team.  Our Class was nicknamed the “Flying Circus.”  We roomed together on many trips.  He was a kind and wonderful person.  A true Uniter.  The County is a lesser place for his passing.  Ernie could make it most of the way from the Cadet Area to the Air Strip without ever starting the engine in his Javelin.  His excitement was contagious.  May the Good Lord Bless his Kind Soul.
Sid Gutierrez


Ernie, I will remember you always.  We worked together at JSSC and I remember each year how'd you'd save up leave and donate it.  You were one of the kindest people I have ever met.   Rest in Peace, Sir.

Ernie was a valued member of the JSSC family in the Pentagon, and a trusted cyber-security professional.   A dedicated Subject Matter Expert he was also known for his tireless support of Agency and Unit events, particularly his MJ "Thriller" dance moves!  He will be missed. 

Ernie was a beacon of light in JSSC.  He was well known and respected in the workplace.  Whenever we had a celebration (summer cookout or holiday party), Ernie would lead the Michael Jackson "Thriller" dance and so many would join him.  He will forever be in our hearts and our prayers are with the family.

r/Kim Winborne

To my cousin “Jr” Butler, 
Thank you for your warm words and love that you shared with me and my Mom and Dad. I will always remember your kindness and generosity. Always.

Dears cousins, please accept my condolences for the loss of your loved one. He was a soldier. May he rest in eternal peace.

Patricia Ann Harrison-Evans & Family

OBITUARY

Ernest Edgar Butler Jr.

February 22, 1951 – February 4, 2023

Fort Lincoln Funeral Home & Cemetery

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