Memphis Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN, December 11, 1997
CHARLES VANN BUTLER, 81, or Navaree, FLA., formerly of Bells, Tenn., and Memphis, educator and retired Navy commander, died of lung disease Dec. 4 at his home. Lewis Funeral Home in Navarre has charge. He was a World War II veteran and attended the former Peabody College in Nashville, the former Lambuth College in Jackson, Scripps Institute and the University of California at Los Angeles. He also was a meterorologist. Mr. Butler, the husband of Georgia Butler, also leaves a daughter, Janella Cummings of Cordova; two sons, C. M. Butler of Atlanta, and W. R. Butler of Memphis; a stepdaughter, Beverly P. Wagoner of Germantown; a stepson, Michael E. Prichard of Mt. Pleasant, SC; a brother, Ross Butler of Memphis; 11 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. The family requests that any memorials be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Charlie was cremated and his ashes scattered in the Gulf of Mexico. He has a marker at Arlington National Cemetery.