Reverend Samuel W. Butler, 88, Penfield

It is with both sorrow and joy that we share the news of the passing of our Father, Reverend Samuel W. Butler. As followers of Christ, we know that he is with Jesus, and we have the assurance that we will see him again.

Reverend Samuel W. Butler, age 88, of Penfield, Pennsylvania, passed away on August 6, 2025, after a brief illness, at Christ the King Manor of DuBois. He was born on December 24, 1936, in Washington, D.C., a son of the late Harold and Elizabeth (Lovell) Butler. On September 29, 1956, he married the love of his life, Opal J. (Schaeffer), who predeceased him on December 29, 2016.

Sam, who was affectionately known as "Billy" to his family, is survived by: three children, Fonda Butler of Penfield, Tammie (Marvin) McClintick of Penfield and Jeffrey (Bonnie) Butler of Florida; two grandchildren, Erin (Keith) West and Eric (Abigail Ketley) McClintick; a great-grandchild, Austin Brown; and a sister, Frances (Dale) Pope of Virginia, and numerous family members.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Sam was preceded in death by a brother, Harvey Butler.

He graduated from Osbourn High School of Manassas, Virginia. Sam served in the Virginia Army National Guard for six years, achieving rank of Sergeant First Class. He received his Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Theology Degrees from Eastern Pilgram College. He was ordained by the Pilgram Holiness Church (Wesleyan Church). He received his Master of Theology Degree from Clarksville School of Theology. He Served as Pastor of Wesleyan Churches for most of his ministry, including Weedville Wesleyan Church and Stroudsburg Wesleyan Church. After his retirement, he continued preaching at numerous churches as a guest speaker. He loved sharing about Jesus to anybody who would listen. His passion was for people to know the love of God.

In his spare time, he enjoyed many years of hunting (at the Gray camp) and golfing with friends and spending time with his family.

Public visitation will be held on Sunday, August 10, 2025, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Ralph M. Geer Funeral Home of Penfield; and on Monday from 10-11 a.m. at the Weedville Wesleyan Church.

Funeral Services will be held, 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 11, 2025, at the Weedville Wesleyan Church, Weedville, Pennsylvania. The service will be live streamed on the Weedville Wesleyan Church Facebook page.

Interment will take place next to his wife in Mt. Zion Cemetery of Weedville, Pennsylvania

Military Honors will be accorded by the Bennetts Valley American Legion Post 978 Honor Guard.

The family suggests memorials to the Bennetts Valley Ambulance (PO Box 48, Penfield, Pennsylvania, 15849) or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (T2T.org) and will be accepting online condolences at the Ralph M. Geer Funeral Home website (www.nedzafamilyfuneralhomes,com).