John Butler III, 73, died May 25, 2020 at St. Petersburg Hospice.  He was born in Washington D.C. on March 1. 1947.  The eldest son of John Atley Butler, Jr and Bernice (Hawkins) Butler.  June attended the public schools of the District of Columbia, graduating in 1965.  After graduation, he and his high school sweetheart, Helen Eccles, union produced a son, John Atley Butler, IV.  June served in the US Army and was stationed in The Republic of Vietnam where he was assigned to the military police.  While serving as part of the helicopter crew, he received the Bronze Star for his action under fire when rescuing US and South Vietnam soldiers.

June was a party person and he spent time at his sister Celeste's home singing and dancing with her friends Debra and Nellie and his sisters.  The cook outs were an ongoing festivity sometimes from sundown to sunup.  John and others would sit around the picnic table singing oldies.  John was the STAR OF THE SHOW!

June was a person who loved to travel.  After release from the military, he traveled around the country and lived in many states such as New York, Louisiana, Georgia with most of his time in Florida.  June loved Florida and when he decided to settle in his later years, Florida was the place to go.  He decided on St. Petersburg.  He bought a home and remained there and continued with his favorite past time of fishing and going to the casino until he became ill.  

He loved his family, especially his sister Celeste.  Celeste and June had a very special relationship.  As children, they were inseparable.  They sold the Afro Paper and protected their siblings against aggressive children.  They babysat their younger siblings.  As they became adults, they remained as close as two people could be.  Celeste and her friend Nellie (Scott) Johnson would visit with him wherever he was.  He would take them to places and parties. John and Nellie loved to dance and did the Hustle frequently to the enjoyment of others watching.  

Preceded in death by his mother and father, baby brother William (Billy), and Ervan (Ricky).  Left to mourn his passing is his son John A. Butler, IV; his grandsons John the 5th and Christopher; a great grandson Jayvon; ex-daughter in Law Nancy Ward; sisters Celeste Bafford (Lloyd), Loretta Linkins (George, deceased), Bernice (Cookie) Gregory (Charles), and Sharon Pearson-Ford (Frank, deceased); aunt and uncle J Kathleen Jordan and Benjamin Coleman; and his best friend Joseph Eccles and his wife Lorraine.  June has left many nephews, nieces, great nieces, and great-great nephews and nieces who loved him dearly to mourn his passing.  

This online Memorial has been created by two of his nieces Angela Pearson and Renee Tucker for your viewing and moments of reflection and condolences.