Celebrating the life of
Robert Max Butler, III
August 11, 1955 - August 03, 2008
Captain Robert Max Butler, III, 52 of Wilmington Island died Sunday, August 3, 2008 at Candler Hospital after a long battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, R. Max Butler, Jr. and Evelyn Mims Butler; paternal grandparents Dr. R. Max Butler, Sr. and Camillus Kiley Butler; maternal grandparents John Wesley Waters and Corrie Belle Stanley Waters; and beloved brother Charles Wesley Waters.
He attended Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School, was a graduate of St. Michael's Catholic School on Tybee Island, and was a 1973 graduate of Benedictine Military School. He was a member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church on Wilmington Island.
Max was a graduate of the United States Coast Guard School for Merchant Marine Officers and worked for many years in the Yachting industry. He was employed by Thunderbolt Marine Industries and captained the private yacht, "Honey Bea", owned by the founder and CEO of Alltel Telephone Co., Weldon Case for over twenty years. His career in yachting took him many places up and down the east coast and allowed him to spend many winter months in the Carribean and in the Bahama Islands.
Max was an avid gardner, and often shared his knowledge and expertise in this field by helping his family and friends with landscape design projects. He was an outstanding chef, and always shared his favorite dishes and recipes with his neighbors and friends. He was the family chef on all holidays and special occasions. He loved his home on Turners Creek, where he resided most of his life.
He is survived by two sisters; Penny Butler of Covington, GA, Maxine Butler Stauffer and her husband Byron of Bloomingdale, GA, sister-in-law; Patricia Bridges Parker James of Savannah, niece and nephew; Mary Jane Waters Cooper Ed, and Charles Wesley Waters, Jr. Todd both of Tampa, FL; two aunts, Lucille Evans Thorpe, and Mary Mrs. Paul B. Barton, both of Savannah, and many cousins.
Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at the Islands Chapel of Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday August 7, 2008 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church on Wilmington Island with Fr. Hank Groover, celebrant.
Burial will be in Bonaventure Cemetery.
St. Mary's Home was Max's favorite charity. If you would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers, please send to, St. Mary's Home, 2170 E. Victory Drive, Savannah, GA 31404, in his memory.
Fox and Week Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel
Maxine and Penny, I was so sorry to hear about your brother, Max. Just the day before, my mother and I were talking about both of you and Tybee as it used to be. I know his loss is tremendously difficult for you. Know that you are both in my thoughts & prayers. --Michelle
- Michelle Robertson, Savannah, GA
Max thank-you for being my frend for 11 years we shard and did alot of things together. YOU HAVE ben and always be in my mind and heart. You are in GODS hands rest in pease.Your frend always PAT ANERSON.
- Pat & Kenny Anderson, Glennville, GA
To Max's Family, We would like to send you our condolescence.There is no heart that God can not heal,for joy will come in the morning.Max is resting now no pain just peace.We hope that this words will bring you comfort in knowing that he was loved by many.
- Mrs.Sarah Counihan & Family, Wilmington Island, GA
My deepest sympathy to the entire family.
- Tom Mahoney, Savannah, GA
MAXINE & Penny Our paryers are with the familey Max was a frend to us when wemoved away we lost contact but he was always in my heart he talk I talk we talk about family flowers and food Kenny was amaized with the work that he done in his past years. My prays goes to you two girls GOD BLESS. Pat &Kenny
- Pat&Kenny Anderson, Glennville, GA
Penny and Maxine, I was so sorry to hear of Max's illness and death. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
- Angie Foran, Savannah, GA
I am so blessed to have you as my friend. My biggest regret was not having met you sooner. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers. We love you Max.... our loss is God's gain !!! My family will miss you deeply! With all our love, Kimberly, John, Jenna and Zanna Rubia
- Kimberly Z. Rubia, Savannah, GA
PENNY- MAX WILL BE SADLY MISSED. I ENJOYED KNOWING HIM AND HE BROUGHT YOU AND I TO BE FRIENDS! GOD HAS BLESSED US BOTH.
- MARY LAW, POOLER, GA
How fortunate we were to have had Max as our neighbor and friend. His kindness of spirit will always be alive in his beautiful little gardens that surround his charming home. We all will miss you, Max, and thank you for making our lives a little bit better. I will fondly think of you every time I make that delicious cauliflour recipe! Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Penny and the rest of the family. In deepest sympathy, The Beisels
- Jim, Kelli, Emma, Court, Gus and Josie Beisel, Savannah, GA
max, i'm sad that you died but i'm glad i was your neighbor and friend. but i will take good care of rosco. thank you for teaching me alot about flower's and plants thank you alot for it.i will miss you i'm sad you did not get your sheep dog. love, josie
- josie beisel, Savannah, GA
WHEN 'CAPT.MAX' PASSED,IT SEEMED LIKE THE CEASING OF EXQUISITE MUSIC. A TRUE BEST FRIEND ALL MY LIFE.EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY LOVES CAPT.MAX.I WILL ALWAYS LOVE HIM AND ALL OUR SAD&HAPPY MEMORIES. MAX IS A GREAT FRIEND TO LOVE & TO RECEIVE LOVE FROM. MAY GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY&FRIENDS. 'SO FAITH,HOPE,LOVE REMAIN,THESE THREE;BUT THE GRATEST OF THESE IS LOVE.' ICORINTHIANS 13:13 WITH LOVE; ROBIN TIMBERLAKE, &FAMILY
- Robin Timberlake, Fleming, GA
I was so very sorry to hear that my dear friend Max had passed away. Max was like a son to me, and when I had no one... he was always there for me. I will miss his home cooking and his company... but most of all, I will miss HIM! Your Loving Friend, Madeline
- Madeline E. Hollingsworth, Savannah, GA
Max is in most of my memories of Nativity School and Benedictine.He was a close and loyal friend. Max always looked out for us fools in high school getting us home before his long drive to 7th Street at the Beach. Mr. Butler had an immaculate 63? Mercedes Roadster that somehow Max would steal away for the night and drive us around. Love you Max.
- Richard Ryan, charleston, SC
Maxine and Penny, I was so sorry to hear about your brother, Max. Just the day before, my mother and I were talking about both of you and Tybee as it used to be. I know his loss is tremendously difficult for you. Know that you are both in my thoughts & prayers. --Michelle
- Michelle Robertson, Savannah, GA
Max thank-you for being my frend for 11 years we shard and did alot of things together. YOU HAVE ben and always be in my mind and heart. You are in GODS hands rest in pease.Your frend always PAT ANERSON.
- Pat & Kenny Anderson, Glennville, GA
To Max's Family, We would like to send you our condolescence.There is no heart that God can not heal,for joy will come in the morning.Max is resting now no pain just peace.We hope that this words will bring you comfort in knowing that he was loved by many.
- Mrs.Sarah Counihan & Family, Wilmington Island, GA
My deepest sympathy to the entire family.
- Tom Mahoney, Savannah, GA
MAXINE & Penny Our paryers are with the familey Max was a frend to us when wemoved away we lost contact but he was always in my heart he talk I talk we talk about family flowers and food Kenny was amaized with the work that he done in his past years. My prays goes to you two girls GOD BLESS. Pat &Kenny
- Pat&Kenny Anderson, Glennville, GA
Penny and Maxine, I was so sorry to hear of Max's illness and death. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
- Angie Foran, Savannah, GA
I am so blessed to have you as my friend. My biggest regret was not having met you sooner. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers. We love you Max.... our loss is God's gain !!! My family will miss you deeply! With all our love, Kimberly, John, Jenna and Zanna Rubia
- Kimberly Z. Rubia, Savannah, GA
PENNY- MAX WILL BE SADLY MISSED. I ENJOYED KNOWING HIM AND HE BROUGHT YOU AND I TO BE FRIENDS! GOD HAS BLESSED US BOTH.
- MARY LAW, POOLER, GA
How fortunate we were to have had Max as our neighbor and friend. His kindness of spirit will always be alive in his beautiful little gardens that surround his charming home. We all will miss you, Max, and thank you for making our lives a little bit better. I will fondly think of you every time I make that delicious cauliflour recipe! Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Penny and the rest of the family. In deepest sympathy, The Beisels
- Jim, Kelli, Emma, Court, Gus and Josie Beisel, Savannah, GA
max, i'm sad that you died but i'm glad i was your neighbor and friend. but i will take good care of rosco. thank you for teaching me alot about flower's and plants thank you alot for it.i will miss you i'm sad you did not get your sheep dog. love, josie
- josie beisel, Savannah, GA
WHEN 'CAPT.MAX' PASSED,IT SEEMED LIKE THE CEASING OF EXQUISITE MUSIC. A TRUE BEST FRIEND ALL MY LIFE.EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY LOVES CAPT.MAX.I WILL ALWAYS LOVE HIM AND ALL OUR SAD&HAPPY MEMORIES. MAX IS A GREAT FRIEND TO LOVE & TO RECEIVE LOVE FROM. MAY GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY&FRIENDS. 'SO FAITH,HOPE,LOVE REMAIN,THESE THREE;BUT THE GRATEST OF THESE IS LOVE.' ICORINTHIANS 13:13 WITH LOVE; ROBIN TIMBERLAKE, &FAMILY
- Robin Timberlake, Fleming, GA
I was so very sorry to hear that my dear friend Max had passed away. Max was like a son to me, and when I had no one... he was always there for me. I will miss his home cooking and his company... but most of all, I will miss HIM! Your Loving Friend, Madeline
- Madeline E. Hollingsworth, Savannah, GA
Max is in most of my memories of Nativity School and Benedictine.He was a close and loyal friend. Max always looked out for us fools in high school getting us home before his long drive to 7th Street at the Beach. Mr. Butler had an immaculate 63? Mercedes Roadster that somehow Max would steal away for the night and drive us around. Love you Max.
- Richard Ryan, charleston, SC
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
