Ernest "Butch" Ralph Childers Jr., age 70 of Bud Black Rd. died Thursday, February 18, 2016 at Carolinas Healthcare Systems - Lincoln. He was born on December 14, 1945 in Gaston County to the late Ernest Ralph Childers Sr. and Thelma Fern Waters Childers. He retired as the water plant and waste water treatment plant manager for the City of Cherryville after 30 years of service. He was also formerly employed by Aqua North Carolina Inc. Butch was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He was a United States Army Veteran and a member of the American Legion Post #100. He was an avid deer hunter and enjoyed traveling to the beach.

Survivors include his wife, Diane Self Childers; sons, "Chip" Ernest Ralph Childers III and wife, Maria of Cherryville, and William Mark Childers and wife, Sissy of Crouse; sister, Mary Frances Childers Dauer and husband, Ray of Cherryville; eight grandchildren, PO 2 Nicholas Childers, Coleman Childers, Riley Childers, Bailey Childers, Chelsea Childers, Madison Childers, Jackson Childers, and Danica Childers.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at 11:00 AM at Mt. Zion Baptist Church with Rev. Wayne Key and Rev. Jerry Lail officiating. Burial will follow at City Memorial Cemetery with full military honors conducted by Cherryville American Legion Post #100. The family will receive friends on Monday, February 22, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Carpenter's Funeral & Cremation Services.

Memorials may be made to Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 112 Mount Zion Church Road, Cherryville, NC 28021.

Condolences may be made to www.carpentersfuneralhome.net