Charles Maurice "Butch" Puryear, Sr., 70, of Palatka, entered the sunset of life on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at Putnam Community Medical Center, Palatka. The son of Harvey "Dickie" Green and Elouise McCaskill, he was born on Tuesday, July 18, 1950 in Asbury Park, New Jersey. "Butch" was the oldest child of five siblings. He was educated in the Putnam County School District and was a graduate of Central Academy High School Class of 1968. After graduating, he attended St. Johns River Community College. "Butch" began his career with Georgia Pacific during the summer of 1968. He later obtained the position of Supervisor in the Tissue Shipping Department until his retirement of 40+ years. "Butch" was baptized in the late 60s at Calvary Baptist Church, Palatka, under the leadership of Reverend Lloyd Green. He loved football (especially his favorite team: the University of Florida Gators), but his "true love" was softball. In the early 70s, he joined the Florida Furniture softball team. He later joined his beloved Palatka Simmon's A's where he became an assistant coach and remained with them faithfully until he retired from the team. He also loved watching westerns, reading the newspaper and watching the news.

In addition to his parents, "Butch" was preceded in eternal rest by: "like a mother," Willie Mae Thomas; maternal grandparents, Louvenia and Henry McCaskill; paternal grandmother, Lorene Green; brother , Wardie "Sonny" Puryear; sister , Wanda McCaskill.

His legacy of love is shared by: his devoted and loving wife of 38 years, Linda Gail Puryear; sons, Asahel Nadiv Ben Israel (Abishaiyah Shunema Israel) Killen, TX; Gerald Lamar (Bernadine) Bryant, Powder Springs, GA; Kevin Edwards, Palatka; Rico Clay, Pomona Park; Butch Maurice Puryear, Jacksonville; daughter , Cherise Puryear, Palatka; 21 grandchildren; 2 great great-grandchildren; brothers , Samuel "Zoo" (Janet) Thomas, Dexter "Bubba" (Matlean) Thomas, Charlie Thomas; " like a brother ," Anthony (Jeanette) Boyd; brothers-in-law , Timothy (Dorothy Edwards), James C. (Rebecca) Edwards, Dennis (Patricia) Edwards; sisters-in-law , Carrie Bell (Nathaniel) Williams, Emily Mae (Earl) Holder, Crystal Edwards; favorite cousins , Ethel Mae Ellis and Linda McCaskill; best friends, Randolph Jenkins, Wesley Roberts, and a host of loving family and friends.

A Celebration of Life with interment will be 11 a.m., Monday, October 12 at Oak Hill West Cemetery, 712 S. Palm Avenue, Palatka. Reverend Karl N. Flagg, Senior Pastor of Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church, officiant.