Rupert Carlyle Butler

Rupert Carlyle Butler, age 93, passed away from a recent illness at the Penn Nursing Center in Reidsville. Until a major decline in his health a few months ago, Carlyle was able to remain in his home with the care of his family and a wonderfully devoted group of caregivers who loved him dearly. The only child of Rupert Pascal and Williamette Wariner Butler, Carlyle grew up on a farm, in a house that his father and uncle built, in the close knit Midway community and at Midway Methodist Church in Rockingham County. He graduated from Reidsville High School in 1947 to enroll at NC State College, and graduated with a degree in Animal Husbandry In 1951.  Carlyle enjoyed big-band music, playing cards in Alexander Dormitory, was in ROTC, worked in a chemistry lab, and he attended the first basketball game played in Reynolds Coliseum.  Carlyle enlisted in the United States Army during the Korean War where he served in the 82nd Airborne at Fort Benning, and as a draftsman at Fort Belvoir, before returning to NC State to finish his studies. Upon receiving a degree in Education, Carlyle returned to Rockingham County to accept a teaching position at Wentworth High School. Carlyle taught high school science - Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, and one challenging year of Physics, in addition to driver education until his retirement from Rockingham County Senior High School.  There was the annual Leaf project, stinky labs, magazine sales, Proms, basketball games, and so much more shared with his incredible fellow teachers and staff. He loved and was admired by hundreds of students whose lives he touched. Carlyle could not go to a local restaurant without someone coming up to him and saying “Hi Mr. B. Remember me? You taught me how to drive!” He would always smile and respond with kind words of appreciation. In 1956. Carlyle married the love of his life, Lorene Andrews, a marriage of 58 years until her passing in 2015. Together Carlyle and Lorene raised their four sons while engaging in their passions of ballroom dancing, antiquing, Wolfpack football, politics, and trips to the beach and floating casinos. They raised a yard-full of plants and flowers, and Carlyle enjoyed sharing hundreds of Azalea plants with others.  Carlyle was an avid and accomplished cribbage player who traveled across the country playing in tournaments. Sitting at the kitchen table playing cribbage with his sons and grandchildren gave him great joy. Carlyle was a lifelong member of Midway United Methodist Church, where he attended Sunday services with dear friends until his health made it difficult to do so. He was also a member of the Elks Club of Reidsville and the NC State Wolfpack Club. Carlyle is survived by his sons Lyndal Butler of Greensboro; Gary Butler and his wife Carol Donin of Durham; Craig Butler of Durham; and Philip Butler and his wife Tonya of Summerfield; grandchildren Brienne Butler (Kacy), Leslie Caldwell (Shawn), Andrew Butler (Holly), Erin Butler, Addison Butler and Ainsley Butler; and great-grandchildren Zoie Butler, Riley and Ryder Caldwell, Anderson Butler and Samantha Butler. He also leaves behind numerous dear friends who shared in his many passions and hobbies. Visitation will be at Wilkerson Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, from 6:00 till 8:00 PM.  Other times the family will be at the home.  The funeral at Midway United Methodist Church will be officiated by Rev. Ellen Spruill and Rev. Patricia Wright on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at 10:00 A.M.  Memorial donations may be made to Midway United Methodist Church and Hospice of Rockingham County.