Lee Edward Butcher, 85, of Troutman, N.C., passed away peacefully at his home on April 9, 2026. He was born in Beverly, Mass., to June Esther Talbot Butcher and Edward Butcher III on February 18, 1941.
Lee is survived by his wife, Diana Barbara Dickinson Butcher of Troutman; his brother, Dana Gordon Butcher of Summerville, Mass.; his sister, Wendy June Butcher Archambault of New Ipswich, N.H.; his sons, Scott Edward Butcher (Priscilla) of Weatherford, Texas, Eric Lee Husser (Veronique) of Springfield, Vt., and Todd Adam Butcher (Laura) of Chapel Hill, N.C.; his stepson, Aaron Gilbert Taylor Connell (Bing) of Kingwood, Texas; his stepdaughters, Dayna Lyn Schneider (Charlie) of Charlotte, N.C., and Heather Allison Lindsey Connell of Charlotte, N.C.; nine grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Upon graduation from Salem High School in 1958, Lee entered a four-year carpenter apprenticeship program with Walsh Construction in Salem, Mass. He attained the level of journeyman carpenter in three years and in the following year was named construction superintendent. Lee was a member of the North Atlantic States Carpenters Union.
Over Lee’s 50-year career in construction, he served as a superintendent on numerous complex, high-profile projects, including the rebuilding of the Salem Witch Museum, the Boston Harbor Clean-Up Project, expansion of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and construction of the Charlotte Hornets NBA arena.
He served as Plant Engineer for Breeden Poultry & Egg (now Case Farms) in Morganton, N.C., where he was recognized with the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Waste Management and received multiple commendations from the Mayor of Morganton, the Director of Public Utilities, and the Director of the NC Department of Natural Resources.
Lee’s career culminated at InterCon Building Company in Charlotte, N.C., where he served as Director of Field Operations from 1995-2008. This role showcased Lee’s technical construction expertise, his hardworking nature, his unwavering commitment to quality, and his people skills. Lee was forever grateful for his close professional association with InterCon CEO Curtis Trenkelbach.
Lee was known to those closest to him as a great storyteller with a remarkable memory, a creative and intelligent craftsman, and someone who lived life with gusto. He was alert to the needs of others, quick to offer a hand, and generous in sharing his knowledge, experience, and time.
Most of all, Lee cherished his family and friends. He maintained lifelong connections with many childhood friends, especially members of Boy Scout Troop 254, who met at the Crombie Street Church in Salem-Scoutmaster Bill Dash, Tim Doggett, Tommy Perkins, Bobby Grant, Buzzy Cushing, and Sinclair “Sinky” Hill, among others. In his retirement, he enjoyed friendships and common interests with Wayne Trenkelbach and Chad Kincaid.
A memorial gathering with family and friends will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the ASPCA.
Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, N.C., is serving the Butcher family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.