David M. “Butch” Anderson III

David M. “Butch” Anderson III, age 76, of New Castle, DE, passed away on Wednesday, December 23, 2020.

Born on March 10, 1944 in Chester, PA, he was the son of the late David M. Anderson II and Regina R. (Gibson) Ferdinand.

As a child, Butch enjoyed fishing, hunting, fast cars, and all sports. At the age of 12, Butch moved to Gardena, CA with his mother, step-father, and two sisters. His family then moved to Lewes, DE, where he graduated from Lewes High School in 1962. Butch worked at a garage in Lewes for a brief time before working at the clam factory.

He purchased his first home on Lewes Bay where he became a member of the Lewes Fire Company. Butch joined the Merchant Marines, serving for a short time as a “wiper”.

A talented musician, he learned to play the drums at an early age and played throughout his life. He was a member of the house band at the Meetinghouse Tavern (formerly Hurley’s Tavern) in Aston, PA during the 70’s. Butch moved to Wyoming in 1978 to continue his passion of playing the drums. He played with numerous bands, including Whiskey River Band, Due West, and Cimmaron.

In 1986, Butch returned to the North East and became a union boilermaker. He made New Castle his next home with his wife, Veronica. Together they spent much of their time in Lewes, DE. They enjoyed boating, fishing, crabbing, and enjoying family and friends until Veronica’s passing in 2009. Since then, he spent his time caring for his best buddy, Petey, his black lab, and his grandchildren, Andrew and Abigail. His grandchildren were his world and they had lived with him from a very young age, forming a special bond. Butch also loved to cheer on the Philadelphia Eagles and Trump bashing.

In addition to his parents and beloved wife, he was preceded in death by his step grandson, Anderson Francis Midcap. Butch is survived by his daughters, Dawn Sowers and her children, Andrew and Abigail, Stephanie “Stacy” Berry (Andrew) and their children, Matthew and Samantha, and Dana “Niki” Morris (Kelley) and their children, Ariana and Gabriel; step daughters, Tracey Paniagua (David “Rooster” Lopez) and their children, Mirranda, Jose, and Bryant and Charlotte “Cissi” Hamilton (Joseph) and their children, Benjamin, Sarah, Victoria, and Joseph; 3 great grandchildren; sisters, Cathy Hagan and Mary Anderson; half-brother, Al “Skip” Ferdinand; half-sister, Tonia “Toni” Davenport; and his beloved dog, Petey.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 12 Noon until 2 PM on Thursday, December 31, 2020, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE. Masks will be required for all in attendance.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Brandywine Valley ASPCA, 600 South Street, New Castle, DE 19720.