Greensboro, NC— Edwards Reed Butler, of Greensboro, North Carolina, and beloved life partner of Jane Massey Dionne, entered eternal rest on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. A service will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Old Chapel, 1414 Gorrell Street (corner of Duke Street), Greensboro, North Carolina, on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 11:00 AM, with inurnment to follow, at the Columbarium at St. Francis Springs Prayer Center, 477 Grogan Road, Stoneville, North Carolina, on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 12:30 PM.

Edwards was born on July 20, 1936, in Conway, Horry County, South Carolina, to Herbert William and Clara Estelle (née Edwards) Butler.

Following his older brother, Herbert J. Butler, Edwards attended The Citadel with his childhood friend, Conrad Allan “Bud” Holbert, whom he had known since the age of 4. Bud shares stories of their trips to The Pavilion on Ocean Drive in Myrtle Beach, then the hottest and most well-known dance club in South Carolina. Edwards was a natural dancer, always in the spotlight, wearing out his wing-tipped cordovan shoes dancing the “Shag” and known by all as “The King of the Floor.”

On August 19, 1960, Edwards enlisted in the United States Army Reserve (ER 53 333 653, PFC, USAR), serving as Private First Class and Chaplain’s Assistant at the Fliegerhorst base in Langendiebach (now Erlensee), Germany. While in Europe, Edwards married his first wife, Herta (née Pfeiffer), in Basel, Switzerland, on December 12, 1961. They were the parents of two sons, Edward Rhett Butler (born 1962) and Gordon Elliot Butler (born 1963).

Edwards returned to Charleston, South Carolina, in the late fall of 1962, where he transferred his Reserve obligation and was enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. He also continued his education at Newberry College in Newberry, South Carolina, and the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. He was honorably discharged from the Army of the United States on January 30, 1963.

Through his service in the United States Coast Guard, Edwards formed a lifelong friendship with Peter Norris Davidson, with whom he helped build “International Industries, Inc. into the largest representative export intermediary in the southeastern United States for European distribution”. He also joined his brother, Herbert Joseph Butler, in the architectural salvage business, Carolina Dismantling Corp.

Edwards’ military obligation expired on August 18, 1966, and at the age of 30, Edwards conceptualized the creation of the downtown City Market Place in Charleston, South Carolina.

In 1966, Edwards and Herta relocated to New York City; they divorced on November 6, 1970. While in New York, Edwards worked with several business partners, including fur dealer Meyer Monblatt on Great Jones Street in NoHo, and James “Jim” Bergen, an early partner in his hardware ventures. His hardware career began during his work in architectural salvage in Charleston and continued to expand in New York City. By the spring of 1967, Edwards had become a half-owner of a hardware installation company alongside Mr. Bergen.

Following his divorce, Edwards moved to New Paltz, New York, where he taught at the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz. He later relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Edwards met his life partner, Jane Massey Dionne, in Charlotte during the summer of 1974. The following year, they combined their families and moved to the mountains of North Carolina. Jane’s children from previous marriages include Jan Michael Antoniewicz II (born 1964) and Sean P. Dionne (born 1970). In the fall of 1978, Edwards and Jane moved to New York City, where their daughter, Louise Rachael Butler, was born in 1979. In 1989, they returned to New Paltz, New York. By 2008, Edwards and Jane had settled in Greensboro, North Carolina, to be closer to Jane’s family.

Throughout his life, Edwards worked in various fields, including dismantling, demolition, construction, architectural salvage, antiques, auction houses, flea markets, and the sale of architectural and builders’ hardware. Of all his interests, hardware held his attention for most of his career. Edwards was instrumental in founding the Edward R. Butler Company, which focused on servicing clients in the New York City area for nearly three decades. He found great joy in gardening and in cultivating herbal extracts for traditional remedies, generously sharing his extensive knowledge of botany with fellow gardeners and greenhouse workers. His innovative spirit in this area even led to him being granted a patent, US5629281A, Herbal Medication for External Application, on May 13, 1997. His summers were often spent visiting Sean Dionne and his family in North Hampton, New Hampshire, where Edwards enjoyed time at the beach and frequent visits to local restaurants for fried seafood.

Edwards and Jane frequently traveled together for Jane’s literary presentations, including three Ernest Hemingway international conferences, two Richard Arlington conferences in Provence, France, and annually between 2000 and 2023, the Elizabeth Maddox Roberts conference in Kentucky. Edwards supported and assisted Jane in her conference presentations, a testament to their shared passion and partnership.

Edwards and Jane were also devoted Camp Grandparents at Camp Bishopswood in Hope, Maine, where they taught children songs on the piano, fished on the lake, and volunteered in the camp kitchen. He offered the children a popular activity, magic and card tricks. Known for his warmth and humor, Edwards delighted in striking up conversations with strangers, often leaving them with a smile.

Edwards is survived by his first wife, Herta P. Mansukhani of New York, New York; his life partner, Jane M. Dionne of Greensboro, North Carolina; four sons and one daughter: Edward Rhett Butler (Haruko) and Gordon Elliot Butler, both of New York, New York; Jan Michael Antoniewicz II of Greensboro, North Carolina; Sean P. Dionne (Linda-Jean) of North Hampton, New Hampshire; and Louise Rachael Butler (John) of Brooklyn, New York. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Liam P. Dionne, Rachael P. Dionne, Milla L. Sa, Henry P. Sa, Braden M. Orsini, Benjamin “Banjo” R. F. Shinerock; two nephews, Herbert J. Butler, Jr. (Helen) and Barre M. Butler (Fran); two nieces, Sarah M. Draughn and Susan M. Morris; five grandnephews, Charlton L. Butler, Jr. (Amber), William B. M. Butler, E. Fraser Butler (Brooke), Herbert J. Butler, III and Christian D. Morris; four grandnieces, Lee Butler Bressan (John), Frances Gorrell (Rob), Murray E. Landstreet, and Michelle Landstreet (Hunter); two great grandchildren, Theadore F. Landstreet-Whimple and Naomi E. Landstreet-Wimple; Jane’s brother M. Frank Massey and his two lifelong friends, Conrad Allan “Bud” Holbert of more than eight decades and Peter N. Davidson of nearly seven decades.