Huey Lafayette Butler
87, Columbia
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, at Hathorn Funeral Home for Huey Lafayette Butler, 87, of Columbia, who passed away on Monday, Dec. 9, at his residence. Burial followed in Raybourn Cemetery in Columbia. Rev. Yancy Magee, Rev. Everette Broome and Rev. Mark McArthur officiated at the services. Visitation was held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, at Hathorn Funeral Home.
He was born in Columbia, where he lived all his life. He and his wife, Miriam Raybourn Butler, were married for 32 years. He loved playing dominos, cards and watching Western movies. He is remembered as having a strong work ethic and was never without a job. He retired from New Orleans Furniture Factory where he worked for 40-plus years. At the end of a long day of factory work, he would come home and do a full day’s work growing and harvesting a big garden. Every year he would grow cucumbers, and it was his children’s job to have them picked before he arrived home from work. He would then take them to market to provide extra money for his family.
He served in the United States Army National Guard for 30 years, where he traveled to London during this time. A man of strong faith, he was a member of Goss Baptist Church and attended Gates Road Missionary Baptist Church with his wife. It is comforting to know that he has reached his home in heaven. May God grant peace to all in knowing there will be a heavenly reunion someday in the future.
He was preceded in death by his father, Bennett Butler; mother, Timmie Bedwell Butler; grandchild, Joshua Butler; five sisters, Audrey Craft, Sydell Fitzhugh, Helen Butler, Zilda Iglehart and Zellie Singley; son-in-law, Glyn O`Quin; stepson, Kevin Raybourn; and stepdaughter, Beverly Raybourn.
Survivors include his wife, Miriam Butler; son, Benton Butler (Melanie); three daughters, Connie O`Quin, Vickie Smith and Sandra Smith (David); stepson, Steven Raybourn; stepdaughter, Sherry Hitt; 13 grandchildren; brother, Burgess Butler, 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a host of nephews, nieces and friends.
Pallbearers were David Smith, Andy Smith, Mark Iglehart, Hoss Kirkley, Braxton Bolin, Jeremy Holmes and Zachary Hitt. Honorary pallbearers were Ron Shiyou, Dewayne Lucas, Andy Robbins and Huey Hitt.
The family would like to express deep gratitude to Encompass Hospice and caregivers, Mia Shiyou, Ron Shiyou and Steven Raybourn, for their loving care during Huey’s season of illness.
Friends may sign an online guest register book at www.hathornfuneralhome.com. Hathorn Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
