Mr. James “Gene” Butler, 74, of Westwood Drive, Shelby, NC, passed away Friday, May 28, 2010. Services were held at Lafayette Street United Methodist Church. Burial followed in Popes Chapel UMC Cemetery, Tignall, Ga.

Mr. Butler was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Butler and Jewell Rucker Butler.

He is survived by his wife of 11 years, Shirley Watson Butler; 2 sons, Bradley Wellington Butler, Sr. and wife Tanya of Gaffney, SC, and Dr. James Blair Butler and wife Lisa of Columbia, TN; 1 step-son, Roger Hutchins and wife Carla of Lexington, SC; 1 daughter, Nancy Butler Evans Tudor and husband Richard of Honolulu, HI; 1 step-daughter, Danita Hamrick and husband Scott of Shelby; 1 brother, Robert Dean Butler of Tryon, NC; 6 grandchildren; 4 step-grandchildren; and his former wife, Carolyn Elliott of Macon, GA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Dr., Shelby, NC 28150; or Lafayette Street United Methodist Church, 1420 S. Lafayette Street, Shelby, NC 28152.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory, Shelby, NC is serving the family.