Albert Waylen Butler, Sr. Obituary

Albert Waylen Butler, Sr.

Charleston - Albert Waylen Butler, Sr., 85, of Charleston, South Carolina, husband of Mary Ann Rourke Butler entered peacefully into eternal rest surrounded by his family Monday, February 15, 2026. His funeral service will be held Friday, February 20, 2026 at J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel, 232 Calhoun Street at 11:30 a.m. Rite of Committal will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday in the Downtown Chapel from 10:30 until the time of service.

Albert was born September 11, 1940 in Horry County, South Carolina, son of the late Wilmer Norman Butler and Sue Stickland Butler. He was a graduate of St. Andrew's High School, and he served in Germany in the United States Army. Upon his return to Charleston, he married Mary Ann Rourke, to whom he remained devoted through 59 years of a marriage filled with laughter, love, and some amazing adventures. He began his career at William M. Byrd in Charleston, and his work moved them to Orlanda, FL., Atlanta, GA, and Mobile, AL. However, he always promised Mom, he'd bring her home to Charleston, and true to his word, they returned in 1973 and settled with their children, Skip and Allison.

Albert opened Butler Hardware and Specialty, Company, which he and Mary Ann grew into a success as their life's work.

Thinking of this final tribute, it's striking how inadequate words seem to describe such an incredible man and life. His warmth, strength, kindness, geniality, love of a good time, and, most importantly, his amazing ability to make people feel seen and special, created a wide circle of friends who brought him immense joy throughout his life. He was a wise mentor to many, a great lover of history, a traveler who never lost his interest in different cultures, and a sprit who loved contemplating the mysteries and wonders of life. Growing up in the Lowcountry fostered his life-long love of the outdoors, hunting, fishing, boating, farming, and football.

More than anything, Dad's love for his family defined his life. Upon the birth of his first grandchild, Dad became our beloved Poppa and decided to sell his company and retire so that he could spend has much time as possible spoiling and loving his grands. The safety, comfort, wisdom, and protection he gave his family will be deeply missed. His generosity, the sparkle in his blue eyes, his love of mischief, his gentlemanliness, and kindness easily drew people to him. We will miss his advice, his sweet smile, and his loyalty, but we're so incredibly blessed to have been given such an amazing example of how to live life. As he shared with his grandchildren, Julia and Capers, "I've had a good life, and I want you to have a good life too." While we'll never be able replace his enormous presence in our lives, we're grateful he was ours, and we take comfort in knowing he's reunited with Mom.

He is survived by his son, Albert W. "Skip" Butler, Jr. (Sandra) and daughter Allison Butler Jackson Owings; sister Dorothy Huggins (Kerry), sister Betty Jo Lawrence (Tommy), brother Larry Butler (Ellie), and sister Sue Ann Avin; grandchildren Julia Ragan Jackson, Charles Capers Owings, Jr., great-grandchild Riley Waylen Jackson, and Sandra's son Cody Auburger, as well as a host of nieces and nephews, all of Charleston, SC. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilmer Norman Butler and Sue Butler, wife, Mary Ann Rourke Butler, and brother Norman Butler.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or any veteran's organization of your choosing.

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