Major Bryan Lee Butler, USAF, Ret. age 86, passed away Sunday, November 17 2011 at his Abilene home.  Funeral Services were 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 1, 2011, at Wylie United Methodist Church with Jeff Hatcher officiating.  Burial followed at Elwood Memorial Park under the direction of Elliott Hamil Funeral Home.

Bryan was born on August 30, 1925 in Cisco, TX and grew up in Carbon attending all but part of his senior year in Carbon schools.  He graduated from Abilene's ACHS in 1943 and shortly thereafter enlisted in the US Army Aircorps and began training as a fighter pilot.  Bryan earned his wings at age eighteen.  He took advance fighter training in the P-40 at Aloe Field, Victoria, Texas.  When WWII ended, he was flying the P-51 Mustang at a training facility in Florida preparing for the invasion of Japan.

After the war, Bryan lived and worked in various places.  He met his wife to be, Betty Sheppard in Houston and they were married on Janaury 21, 1949.  With their young daughter, Donna, they later moved to Abilene where Bryan worked and graduated from Hardin-Simmons University.  While in Abilene, their son, Lee was born.

From 1956-1961, Bryan and his family lived in Bryan, Texas where he was a staff pilot for Texas A&M University, flying such notables as Coach Bear Bryant and President Earl Rudder.

After leaving Texas A&M, Bryan moved his family back to Abilene where he spent several years in the automobile business.  He had remained in the Air Force Reserve, and during the Vietnam War, he was called back into active duty to fly Military Air Transports all over the world.  As a C-124 Globemaster command pilot,  he and his crews flew numerous trans-Pacific supply missions from San Antonio to Vietnam.

When he returned to Abilene following his discharge from the Air Force, he and his family started Travel Towne, an RV sales and service business on the east side of Abilene.  Bryan also was involved in farming and ranching in the area.

Bryan was preceded in death by Betty, his wife of 54 years; his daughter, Dr. Donna H. Butler; his parents, E,. R. and Ione Lefevre Butler; and a brother, Gene Butler.

He is survived by his son, Lee Butler of Abilene; a brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Sammie Butler of Spring, Texas; and a sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Kenneth Watson of Eastland; and several nieces and nephews.

Bryan was a baptized believer, having become a Christian at a young age in Carbon.  In true military style, he lived his life with discipline, honor, integrity and service to others.  He will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.

Memorials may be made to the West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 4601 Hartford, St., Abilene, TX   79605.

You may view and sign guestbook at www.elliotthamilfuneralhome.com.