Edward Kent "Butch" Reading, 94, formerly of Oakfield, NY, passed away on December 21, 2012 in Virginia Beach, VA. The only child of Nicholas and Alice (Knibbs) Reading, Butch was born July 27,1918 in Fredonia, NY. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years Virginia (Cole) Reading who died in 1995.
He is survived by sons David (Ann) of Estero, FL and Thomas (Marianne) of Virginia Beach, VA, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He is also survived by his close companion in later life, Jeannette Morley of Batavia, NY.
Butch graduated from Warren , PA High School where he lettered in football, baseball and basketball. He attended Franklin andMarshall College in Lancaster, PA. He was a veteran of World War II having served in the Fourth Army Air Force.
He worked for 37 years for Graham Corp in Batavia, NY and retired in 1980 as Senior Vice President of that manufacturing company. He was formerly an Elder of the Oakfield Presbyterian Church, was a member of American Legion Post 332 in Batavia,
was on the Board of the Batavia YMCA, was an elected member of the Oakfield-Alabama Central School Board and served as President of the Batavia United Fund. Butch was a charter member of both the Oakfield Lions Club and the Genesee County Area Prayer Breakfast Committee.
Butch enjoyed fishing for muskie from his cottage on Chautauqua Lake and for walleyed pike in Canada. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed following the Buffalo Bills and Sabres. He was an accomplished woodworker who was most content when working in his cellar or garage using his lathes and saws.
There will be no viewing hours. Services will be held at 2 pm on Wednesday, January 2nd at the Oakfield Community Bible Church,80 Main St., Oakfield, NY. Burial will be on January 3rd in Oakland Cemetery, Warren, PA. Memorial donations may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.
Arrangements were completed by Burdett & Sanford Funeral Home of Oakfield. Please leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle at www.burdettandsanford.com.
