Visitation

March 23, 2024
1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Service

N/A

Committal

N/A

Ayden Butler, 51, of Hickory, NC passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 11, 2024. He was born on August 3, 1972 in Petersburg, VA to Gayle Butler and the late Charles Ayden Butler, Jr. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Morganton. Ayden was granted a full baseball scholarship to East Carolina University and held the single game record for strike outs at ECU for twenty -two years. At Freedom High School, he recorded 300 strike outs: he was a natural south paw pitcher. He was a manager of clients with intellectual disabilities. He worked at Salem Industries in Gastonia. Ayden loved helping people in a variety of roles. He enjoyed helping individuals who struggled and helping the community. Ayden loved music and playing the guitar. He was a friend to many people.

Ayden is survived by his son, Hunter Lee Butler; brother, Hank Butler (Shelley) and nephews, Stuart and Jack Butler; sister, Caroline Warner Butler.

A Celebration of Life for Ayden will be held from 1pm-4pm on Saturday, March 23, 2024 in the Jack Bass Memorial Building, Bass-Smith Funeral Home in Hickory, NC.

Memorial contributions may be made to Catawba Valley Health Care, 327 1st Ave NW, Hickory, NC 28601.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Tribute Wall

Leave a tribute for Ayden Butler.

Black Candle
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—Liza CG
Beige Candle

Sad news. My thoughts and prayers to family and friends.

—Greg Jones
Beige Candle

I’m so sorry to hear of Ayden’s passing. I went to FHS and he was always upbeat and had a smile for everyone. Heaven truly has an angel.

—Jennifer Deal Lambert
White Candle

Wish I could've heard what friends and family had to say about Ayden during the Celebration of Life today. Thinking of you all. 🙏🙏🙏🙏 Ayden, you were a sweet part of my childhood. I loved to see you grin while we were dancing together. I'll always remember you that way. RIP 💐🕊️

—Meredith Lee Colby
White Candle

We’re praying for you all. We love you guys

—The Eggers
Black Candle

Sorry for your loss. Ayden was just a great soul. Sending love and light to his family.

—Mrs. Burgess
Beige Candle

Praying 🙏🏼 for the Butler family. Special prayers for Hunter during this difficult time.

—The Conleys
White Candle

Thoughts and prayers going out to the family. Special prayers going out to Hunter during this difficult time.

—The conleys

I didn’t know Ayden well but I always liked his spirit. It made me sad to hear he had passed

—James Isenhower

I played baseball with Ayden at East Carolina and against him while he was in Burke County legion. I was fortunate enough to have chaperoned him around his college visit to Greenville while being recruited. His humor, his curiosity and wide eyes always stood out to me....My condolences and RIP to a teammate and a better soul! !

—John White