Ralph W. Butler Sr., 88, passed away Friday afternoon July 17, 2015 at the Residence at Otter Creek. Born on Good Friday, April 15, 1927 the year of the Great Flood, he was the son of William and Edith (Emerson) Butler. Ralph attended local schools and then enlisted in the United States Army. Ralph enjoyed hunting trips to Maine with the boys, camping, metal detecting, farming and collecting old bottles. He was often seen driving around town in his MR2 Spyder Convertible. Ralph enjoyed going to his grandchildrens sporting events and was an avid Middlebury Tigers and Mount Abe Eagles fan. He is survived by his sons, Randy Butler and wife Wendy of New Haven and Ralph W. Butler Jr. and wife Corinna of Ferrisburg, daughters, Kathy Bessette of Ferrisburgh and Terry Butler of Middlebury. brother, Arthur Butler and his sister Bertha Sherman both of Bristol. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Courtney Allenson, Lindsey Pepperine, Justin Butler, Stephanie Barrett, Meredith Bessette, Curtis Bessette and Wesley Butler, great-grandchildren: Wyatt, Isabelle, Fiona and Brecken. Also by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a special canine Daisy. He was predeceased by his wife Shirley Butler in 1995, siblings Lawrence and Howard Butler and Dorothy Lafountain. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday July 22, 2015 at 2 P.M. at the Middlebury United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Jill Robinson officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery in Bristol. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association Vt Div. at 300 Cornerstone Drive, Suite 128, Williston, VT 05495 Arrangements are under the direction of the Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home. Online condolences at www.sandersonfuneralservice.com