Channey Butler Jr.

Channey G. Butler Jr., a resident of Arlington passed away peacefully on Saturday May 20, 2017 at the Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington, VT, just two days before his 79th birthday. He was born at home in Dorset, VT on May 22, 1938 to Channey G. Sr. and Winifred (Moffit) Butler. He was educated in one room schoolhouses in Dorset and East Dorset, VT. and in life through hard work with his hands. Channey served his country proudly when he was drafted into the US Army during the Vietnam War from 1965 until 1967, leaving his wife Frances at home to await his return. True soulmates, they were married in Manchester on October 26, 1957 and would celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary this fall. For 36 years Channey drove a cement mixer for Wm E. Dailey Concrete out of Manchester. Following his semi-retirement, he worked driving trucks for Jim Sheldon Concrete in Pawlet and for Kurt and Mary Merrill at Merrill's Excavating in Londonderry. He was not one to sit still and only stopped working to care for his wife when her health declined. Considered a "Vermont Superman," he enjoyed riding motorcycles, dirt bikes, four wheelers, and snowmobiles, tinkering on any vehicle he could get his hands on, looking for a good deal, hunting, fishing, traveling to Florida, having coffee at Mrs. Murphy's Donut Shop with the guys, and spending time with his family and grandchildren. He was a member of V.F. W. Harned Fowler Post 6371 in Manchester. He leaves his wife Frances (Quackenbush) Butler, daughter and son-in-law Joy and Chris Ray of Middletown Springs, grandchildren Cady and Christopher, brother Richard Butler of Gansevoort, NY, sister Hazel Hale of Weston, and as everyone's favorite uncle, many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his infant son Channey G. Butler III, his parents, brother Harold "Mort" Moffit, sisters Edith O'Rourke and Norma Butler-Sargent. Services and a celebration of his life to share stories will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family asks that Memorial gifts be made to either the Vermont Veteran's Home or Manchester Health Services in care of Hanson Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 528, Arlington, VT 05250. A time to celebrate the lives of Channey and Frances Butler of longtime residents of Arlington will be held on Sunday June 25 beginning at noon at the Harned Fowler V.F.W. Post 6471 in Manchester. The family invites everyone to come and honor the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Butler through memories, photos conversation and refreshments.