Benjamin "Ben" R. Butler passed away Monday, September 30, 2024 in Myrtle Beach, SC at the age of 73. 

Ben was born July 19, 1951 in Whiteville, NC to James Preston Butler and Marie Townsend Butler. Ben is survived by his wife, Vicki; children, Ryan (Chris Sgro) and Thomas (Amber); siblings, James (Donna Purvis) and Carlos (Kelly); and his beloved dog Harry. He is preceded in death by his brother John W. Butler Sr. (Susan Allan), of Fayetteville, NC.

He graduated from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1973 with a degree in Business Administration. That same year he married his high school sweetheart and launched a successful expansion of his family’s business, Butler Lighting, by opening a new location in Myrtle Beach, SC. Now the largest lighting showroom in Myrtle Beach, the business continues to be operated by his son Thomas.

In addition to building their business, Ben and Vicki built a community of loving friends in Myrtle Beach over the course of 50 years. His wife and children remember him as a kind, patient, and loving husband and father who supported and encouraged them to work hard, pursue their passions, and live life with purpose to do good in the world and for those around them.

He was an active and devout member of the First Presbyterian Church of Myrtle Beach. Ben was also a past member of the Grand Strand Sertoma Club. An avid golfer, he was a member of the Dunes Golf and Beach Club for fifty years. He had a passion for travel, which he instilled in his family.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, at the First Presbyterian Church in Myrtle Beach. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:00 PM until 1:50 PM prior to the service. Immediately following the service, there will be a reception and celebration of life at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club in the ballroom.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to The Building Lives Campaign, First Presbyterian Church of Myrtle Beach (P.O. Box 70127, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572), to support the construction of a recreation space to serve youth, children, and senior adults. Select Fund, Building Lives at:      https://onrealm.org/FirstPresbyteri60462/-/form/give/now

McMillan-Small Funeral Home is honored to serve the Butler Family.