1940
Robert
2023
Robert Butler
November 3, 1940 — June 30, 2023
Robert Preston Butler, age 82, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 30, 2023 in Macon, Ga. A memorial service to honor his life will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, July 3rd, at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 5455 Mt Pleasant Church Rd, Macon Ga. The family will greet friends in the Church Sanctuary after the service.
Robert was born on November 3rd, 1940 in Hopewell, Va to the late Elwood Lee Butler and Ruby Leigh Joyner Butler. He was a 1959 Graduate of Hopewell High School where he completed his studies and graduated while also working full time at Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corporation in Virginia. Robert began his career at 17 years old as a tobacco worker, but he sought every opportunity to learn a skill and was soon trained by Brown and Williamson as a Maintenance Machinist, which he did for 40 years until his retirement in 1999, earning many accolades for his exceptional skill throughout his career. Robert was also proud to be a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union from 1959 to 1999.
Robert was an avid fisherman and was a member of the Virginia Bass Federation, where he served as president from 1982-83. He was truly skilled and won many honors and tournaments while still in Va. Because he loved sharing his skills and passions with future generations, he also led a youth bass fishing program in Va for several years.
Robert honorably served his Country in the United States Army from age 19 to 21, then continued his service in the Army National Guard until age 30, while still working full time for Brown and Williamson. His patriotism, love of Country, and dedication to future generations helped to fuel his passion for his service to the Boy Scouts of America.
Robert's career with Brown and Williamson began in Va, but his skills were so badly needed at the plant in Macon, Ga that he was transferred to Macon in 1983, where he met the love of his life, Gwen Slappey. Her constant support allowed him to continue his passion for serving younger generations through the Boy Scouts of America. Having been a Boy Scout as a boy, Robert wanted to help out with their youngest son's Cub Scout pack, but long work hours and lots of overtime wouldn't permit. After his retirement in January 1999, he was able to volunteer with Boy Scout Troop 235 in Lizella, Ga and he officially joined the BSA as an Assistant Scoutmaster later in 1999. He went on a few years later to become the Scoutmaster of Troop 235, where he has mentored 34 young men to earn the rank of Eagle Scout! Robert earned many local and national BSA awards as a Scoutmaster, but he was most proud to be a "Silver Beaver Award" recipient in 2019, which recognizes scout leaders of exceptional character who have continually provided distinguished service to youth in the BSA for many years. Even with his health declining, Robert has continued to be a mentor to Scouts and Adult leaders alike, and he is still a registered leader with Troop 235.
Robert is survived by his wife of 38 years, Gwen Butler; his daughter, Deborah (Debby) Kaye Butler of Va; 2 sons: Robert (Robby) Lee Butler and Robert Blake Butler, both of Byron, Ga; daughter in law, Brittany Butler (Blake); 3 grandchildren: Winter Gabriella Seliger, Preston Alan Butler, and Willa Grey Butler; brother, Bill Butler (Delores) of Va; 2 sisters: Linda Tuohey (Jim) of NC, and Jennie Wells (Dwaine) of Va; many nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog and constant companion, Trigger. He is also very loved and will be grieved by his brothers and sisters in law: Winston and Lillian Slappey of Lizella, Ga, and Bill and Sherry Dean of Marshallville, Ga; and numerous close friends in Boy Scouts, especially his long time Asst Scoutmaster, dear friend, and "adopted" 3rd son, Hank Martin of Lizella, Ga. Robert was predeceased by his parents; one brother, Larry Butler of Va; and one daughter, Rhonda (Ronny) Faye Butler of Va.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to ask for a donation in memory of Robert Butler to be made to Boy Scout Troop 235, ℅ Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 5455 Mt Pleasant Church Rd, Macon Ga. 31216.
Friends may sign the online registry at www.fairhavenmacon.com.
FairHaven Funeral Home and Cremation Services has charge of arrangements.
Robert was born on November 3rd, 1940 in Hopewell, Va to the late Elwood Lee Butler and Ruby Leigh Joyner Butler. He was a 1959 Graduate of Hopewell High School where he completed his studies and graduated while also working full time at Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corporation in Virginia. Robert began his career at 17 years old as a tobacco worker, but he sought every opportunity to learn a skill and was soon trained by Brown and Williamson as a Maintenance Machinist, which he did for 40 years until his retirement in 1999, earning many accolades for his exceptional skill throughout his career. Robert was also proud to be a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union from 1959 to 1999.
Robert was an avid fisherman and was a member of the Virginia Bass Federation, where he served as president from 1982-83. He was truly skilled and won many honors and tournaments while still in Va. Because he loved sharing his skills and passions with future generations, he also led a youth bass fishing program in Va for several years.
Robert honorably served his Country in the United States Army from age 19 to 21, then continued his service in the Army National Guard until age 30, while still working full time for Brown and Williamson. His patriotism, love of Country, and dedication to future generations helped to fuel his passion for his service to the Boy Scouts of America.
Robert's career with Brown and Williamson began in Va, but his skills were so badly needed at the plant in Macon, Ga that he was transferred to Macon in 1983, where he met the love of his life, Gwen Slappey. Her constant support allowed him to continue his passion for serving younger generations through the Boy Scouts of America. Having been a Boy Scout as a boy, Robert wanted to help out with their youngest son's Cub Scout pack, but long work hours and lots of overtime wouldn't permit. After his retirement in January 1999, he was able to volunteer with Boy Scout Troop 235 in Lizella, Ga and he officially joined the BSA as an Assistant Scoutmaster later in 1999. He went on a few years later to become the Scoutmaster of Troop 235, where he has mentored 34 young men to earn the rank of Eagle Scout! Robert earned many local and national BSA awards as a Scoutmaster, but he was most proud to be a "Silver Beaver Award" recipient in 2019, which recognizes scout leaders of exceptional character who have continually provided distinguished service to youth in the BSA for many years. Even with his health declining, Robert has continued to be a mentor to Scouts and Adult leaders alike, and he is still a registered leader with Troop 235.
Robert is survived by his wife of 38 years, Gwen Butler; his daughter, Deborah (Debby) Kaye Butler of Va; 2 sons: Robert (Robby) Lee Butler and Robert Blake Butler, both of Byron, Ga; daughter in law, Brittany Butler (Blake); 3 grandchildren: Winter Gabriella Seliger, Preston Alan Butler, and Willa Grey Butler; brother, Bill Butler (Delores) of Va; 2 sisters: Linda Tuohey (Jim) of NC, and Jennie Wells (Dwaine) of Va; many nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog and constant companion, Trigger. He is also very loved and will be grieved by his brothers and sisters in law: Winston and Lillian Slappey of Lizella, Ga, and Bill and Sherry Dean of Marshallville, Ga; and numerous close friends in Boy Scouts, especially his long time Asst Scoutmaster, dear friend, and "adopted" 3rd son, Hank Martin of Lizella, Ga. Robert was predeceased by his parents; one brother, Larry Butler of Va; and one daughter, Rhonda (Ronny) Faye Butler of Va.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to ask for a donation in memory of Robert Butler to be made to Boy Scout Troop 235, ℅ Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 5455 Mt Pleasant Church Rd, Macon Ga. 31216.
Friends may sign the online registry at www.fairhavenmacon.com.
FairHaven Funeral Home and Cremation Services has charge of arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert Butler, please visit our flower store.
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