Joseph Avon Butler of Levittown, Pennsylvania (formerly of Waldorf, MD) was born May 5, 1948 in Randleman, North Carolina and departed this life on July 10, 2008. He was the son of the late Thomas and Maude Parsons Butler. He was one of seven children and was preceded in death by his sister, Linda Thompson, and two brothers, Thomas Butler, Jr. and William L. Butler. His marriage to Nadine Butler ended in divorce.

Joe attended public schools in Charles County, Maryland and graduated from Pomonkey High School with honors in 1966. He attended Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland from 1966 to 1968. Thereafter, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country in the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1971. After his honorable discharge from military service, Joe worked for the State of Connecticut as a Sanitarian. He then transferred to the Terminex Company as a trainer and traveled extensively - he was employed by Terminex for 29 years. His most recent employment was with Steritech.

We all knew Joe as a very private man, but also as someone who showed true devotion to his family, and extended family as well, with his generous and loving ways. We could always depend on Joe.

Joe was also an avid sports fan. He loved watching professional boxing matches and was a fanatic New York Yankees fan since childhood. With trepidation, we would sometimes call Joe and tease him when the Yankees lost a baseball game. He was also a computer tekkie - we went to "Joe.com" when we needed computer technical support. His other interests included gambling in Atlantic City, playing cards, the lottery, crossword puzzles, gardening, and watching Wheel of Fortune. But . . . his biggest dream was retirement.

Joe leaves to cherish his memories two loving sisters, Sylvia (John) Barbour of Morningside, MD and Robin (Jerome) Proctor of Fort Washington, MD, and one brother, Reginald (Mary) Williams of Shreveport, LA. He also leaves three sisters-in-law, Phyllis, Hilarie, and Mary, three brothers-in-law, John, Jerome, and Pete, five nieces and three nephews, a devoted friend, Helen, and her loving sons, Frank and Jason, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held at Raymond Funeral Chapel, La Plata, MD from 6PM until 8PM on 7/15/2008.

Services will be held at Raymond Funeral Chapel, La Plata, MD beginning at 7:30PM on 7/15/2008.

The final resting place will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA .

Arrangements provided by Raymond Funeral Service.