Earl "Butch" E. Wilcox, III, age 78, of O'Fallon, born April 5, 1945 in Cape Girardeau, Mo. to Eugene "Gene" and Jean, nee Bynum, Wilcox, the eldest of three, passed away October 4, 2023 at home.

Earl enlisted in the US Air Force July 28, 1965, and served honorably during the Vietnam War until 1971. He was a radio operator in the 1969th Communications Squadron, earning the Vietnam Service Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal, among other notable decorations and commendations. He attended the University of Maryland, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude.

He resided in O'Fallon since 1979. He worked for over 20 years as a Benefits Counselor for the Veterans Administration. After his retirement, he continued serving fellow veterans as a service officer for the Disabled American Veterans. Over the years, he assisted many, many servicemen and women with their disability claims and acquiring the benefits they deserved.

Butch was an avid collector and baseball fan. Go Cards!
Lover of ice cream, popcorn, and his family; his greatest joy was watching his grandkids and great-grandkids become Cardinals fans.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Butch is survived by his loving and devoted wife Patricia "Penny" Wilcox; his son Paul; his daughter Charlotte; as well as his grandkids Greg, Nate, Lillian, Katie, Jack, Eliza, Josie, and Eveie; and his great-grandchildren Bella, Olivia, and Eli.

Memorial donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans. Online guestbook available at www.wfh-ofallon.com

Visitation: 5-8 pm, Monday, October 9, 2023 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon, IL.

Funeral procession will depart Wolfersberger Funeral Home at 10:45 am, Wednesday, October 11, 2023 for a Graveside Service with military honors at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Mo.