Hosea Butler was born on May 1, 1937, to the late Furman Butler and the late Emmaline Foster, in Spartanburg SC. He was educated in the Spartanburg County Schools. Hosea was formerly a member of Harrison Grove Baptist. In recent years he was member of the Drayton Mills Church of Christ where he served as a greeter.

Hosea was a very positive and happy individual. He had an easy-going personality and was very quiet. Hosea is especially known for work ethic. He worked on his job at Mayfair Mills for thirty years and never missed a day. In his spare time, he enjoyed watching old western movies. Hosea really enjoyed watching sports of all kinds,but he was an avid Baltimore Ravens fan. He was the last surviving member of his family.

He was preceded death along, with his parents, by his adopted mother, Essie Ramage; wife, Geneva Butler; son, Hosea Butler, Jr.; twin sister, RoseAnna Butler; other siblings, Arzila Browning, Mary Pratt, Callie B. Suggs, Annie Ruth Butler, Pearl Foster, Virginia Foster, Annie Bell McClintock, Evalene Miller, James Butler, Johnny Butler, Robert Butler and Dennis Butler.

Hosea leaves to cherish his legacy of love and faith to daughter, Melissa Butler of Spartanburg, SC; step-daughters and caregivers, Amelia Brown of Lyman, SC and Stella D. Brown of Spartanburg, SC; grandchildren, Kenneth Holmes, Ieasha Glenn, Terrance Feaster, Jr. and Orlando Feaster; a special friend and confidant, Brother Frankie Davis; a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.