JOE WILLARD "BUTCH" EDWARDS JR. passed away on
May 15 at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, TX.
Joe was born to Ollie & Joe (RHS-1943) Edwards on
Sept. 24, 1946, in Crane, TX. The family moved to
Ranger in 1963. He attended Ranger High School in
the Class of 1965 at Ranger, TX. There he met the
love of his life, Barbara Perrin (RHS-1970). They
married in 1969 & remained joyfully married until
his death. Joe was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy,
having served in the Mediterranean and in Vietnam
where he was awarded a Purple Heart. After his
service, he returned to Ranger & his beloved wife.
He worked first at North American Car as a welder,
then at a Chevrolet dealership as an auto mechanic,
and later as an entrepreneur of his own garage as
an automotive transmission specialist. He was well
known for his honesty, integrity, and eagerness to
help others. Joe raised three loving children who
blessed him with nine beautiful grandchildren. He
loved and honored his wife and was an excellent,
ever-present father and grandfather. He loved and
served the Lord with all of his being. In his
retirement, he enjoyed model building, remote-
controlled airplanes, and playing with his grand-
children.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and
Ollie Edwards.
Joe is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara;
three children and their spouses, Christa (RHS-1989)
and Denis O?Leary, Cathy (RHS-1994) and Dan Collins,
and Joe (RHS-2000) and Georgia Edwards III; grand-
children Sean, Anna, Julia, Sam, and Ciara O?Leary,
Zac and spouse Becca Lyons, Ethan Cole, and Perrin
and Jasper Edwards; two sisters and their spouses/
significant others, Jeannie (RHS-1969) and Donna
Edwards and Barbara Edwards Mayes and Rick; three
brothers and their spouses, Steve and Dana Edwards,
Sam and Sandy Edwards, and Collin and Paula Edwards;
and beloved friend Elvira "Grandma" Short.
A private funeral service was held at Alameda Cemetery
on May 19. Donations in memory of Joe may be sent to
The Wounded Warrior Project, St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital, or the Ranger Veterans Group.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of
Joe W. "Butch" Edwards please visit our Sympathy
Store at Edwards FH.