Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mr. Lewis Albert Motley III, 63, of Huntington, WV formerly of Beckley, WV peacefully took his flight to glory on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 after a short illness.

The son of Mr. Louis Motley Jr. and the late Queen Esther Motley, ‘’Butch’’ was born June 23, 1957 in East Park, WV. He attended Woodrow Wilson High School and shortly after he joined the military.

Butch never met a stranger. He was always open for conversation and always enjoyed a hearty laugh. He was one who loved family and if you had him for a friend, you had a friend for life.

Attending family reunions and barbeques was one of his life joys. He loved coming to Beckley and spending time with his mom and dad and seeing his sisters and their families. He really enjoyed seeing his cousins whom he grew up with; he had a lot of girl cousins and three sisters so he was “everyone’s brother.”

He was introduced to Christ at a very early age by his mother who always made sure he and his sisters were in Sunday school, church, and any other youth functions that were available. As an adult, he still enjoyed church and frequented several churches while living in Beckley. During his mother’s Homegoing in 2018, he had a conversation with his cousin, Jami Thomas, and they talked about salvation. Butch assured her that his heart and soul was right with God.

As a teenager he was a fancy dresser who loved to dance and he was a smooth dancer. His favorite song was “Me and Mrs. Jones”; everyone told him he resembled the artist, Billy Paul, who recorded the song. Once he got dressed to the “t” and threw those dark shades on like Billy Paul - there was no holding him back. In the 1970’s, he was also a great fan of the Chi-lites and his favorite song was “Tell Me Have You Seen Her”, sometimes he would even attempt to sing as he mimicked their steps… that was Butch!

Preceded in death by his mother, Queen Esther Motley, who loved him unconditionally.

He leaves to cherish precious memories his father, Louis Motley Jr. of Beckley, WV; sisters; Scarlette (Tommy) Reid of Goose Creek, SC, Sheryl (Clarence) Williams of Jacksonville, Fl, and Kathryn (Stanford) Jennings of Alpharetta, GA; nieces, Tammy, Nikki, Tracy, and Kelsey; nephews, Jamie and Brian and a host of great-nieces and great-nephews.

He is survived by aunts, Nancy Motley Williams of Chicago, IL, Louise Hall of NY , Delores Robinson of Beckley, WV, Maxine (Jimmy) Motley of Columbus, OH; uncles, Vernon Spann of Chicago, IL, Charles (Evelyn )Moore of New York, NY and a host of loving cousins and special lifetime friend, Doug Deering.

Sleep on “Butch” and take your rest, we will miss you but, God knows best.

Funeral service will be 12:00Noon Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at the Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor Chapel 748 S. Fayette St. Beckley with Evangelist Debra Dozier officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley.

Friends, while wearing gloves and masks and observing social distancing, may view one hour prior to the service.

Email condolences to ritchie-johnson@suddenlinkmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.