Elson C. "Butch" Langley, Jr.

Following a long and fruitful life of 83 years, Elson Carter “Butch” Langley, Jr. joined his Lord and Savior in Heaven on the morning of Monday, June 8, 2026.

Butch was born on December 21, 1942, in Waynesville, Missouri, to the late Elson Carter Langley, Sr. and Opal Nichols Langley. He was raised in Mobile, Alabama, where he graduated from Murphy High School. During his high school years, he developed a love for square dancing and even founded a square dancing club. It was there that he found opportunities to spend time with a young lady he had admired for many years, Jannette Spiers. Their friendship blossomed into love, and two years after graduating high school, they were married, beginning a beautiful marriage that would span a lifetime.

Butch enlisted in the United States Air Force. His military service took him and Jannette to South Carolina before eventually returning them to Mobile, Alabama. Following his time in the Air Force, he worked in civil service at Brookley Air Force Base. The family later moved to Pensacola, Florida, where he continued his work on a Navy base before settling in Warner Robins, Georgia, in 1969.

Warner Robins became home for more than five decades. There, Butch began a distinguished career at Robins Air Force Base as an aircraft mechanic working on the F-15 fighter aircraft. Through hard work, dedication, and exceptional skill, he advanced into a supervisory role overseeing mechanics responsible for maintaining the aircraft. He remained a respected leader and mentor until his retirement.

While Butch was known for his strong work ethic, those who knew him best understood that his priorities never changed: Church, Family, and Fishing—in that order. A faithful servant of Christ, Butch was a devoted member of Friendship Baptist Church, where he formerly served as a deacon and faithfully filled many other roles throughout the years. Alongside his beloved wife, Jannette, he mentored young couples and invested in the lives of countless church members. His wisdom, kindness, and servant's heart left a lasting impact on his church family.

Butch was a gifted craftsman whose hands seemed capable of fixing anything. Handy, inventive, and remarkably creative, he enjoyed making his own fishing lures, knives, and tools. Whether solving a difficult problem, repairing something broken, or creating something entirely new, he approached every task with patience, ingenuity, and skill. Family and friends often sought his advice, knowing his wisdom was as valuable as his craftsmanship.

He loved deeply and provided faithfully for his family throughout his life. His devotion to Jannette was evident to everyone who knew them. Family friend Barbara Kilcrease perhaps said it best: "He loves her in a way that every woman covets." Their marriage was a shining example of commitment, faithfulness, and unconditional love.

Though he enjoyed many things in life, some of his happiest moments were spent with family, gathered around those he loved, or sitting beside the water with a fishing rod in hand, appreciating God's creation.

Butch was preceded in death by his son, Richard James Langley; his parents; and his brother, Michael F. Langley.

His memory will forever be treasured by his adoring wife, Jannette Spiers Langley; his daughters, Sharon R. Gill (Mark) of Knoxville, TN, and Connie E. Hauck (Robert) of Warner Robins; grandchildren, Lyndsey Gill, Mark L. Gill (Tommi), Jeremy Hauck, and Aaron C. Hauck (Leah); great-grandchildren, Julian Gill, Pete Gill, Levi Hauck, Zoe Hauck, Carly Hauck, and Emma Hauck; siblings, Robert E. Langley (Margaret), and Betty Jean Smith (Bill); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation with Butch’s family will be Friday, June 12, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at McCullough Funeral Home, with a funeral service celebrating his life immediately following in the chapel. Following the service, Butch will be laid to rest in Glen Haven Memorial Gardens.

For friends unable to attend at this time, the service will be streamed live at https://www.youtube.com/@McCulloughFuneralHome via the McCullough Funeral Home’s YouTube page.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.