William Butler

William Albert Butler, 91 of Bladenboro, passed away in the early hours of Thursday, August 24, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents: Thurman Allen and Myrtle Hilburn Butler, daughters Joyce and Lois Butler; sister Ruby Carter, brothers: Franklin Butler, Wilton Butler, and Livingston Butler.

William is survived by his wife of 70 years Louise Pait Butler of the home; his two sons: Donald Butler (Ann) of Clinton, and William Butler Jr. (Debbie) of Charlotte; his three daughters: Susan Carter (Nick) of Bladenboro, Emily Hatcher (Tommy) of Harrells, and Marilyn Inman (John) of Elizabethtown; two sisters Mildred Lewis of Bladenboro and Jennie Sue Bass of Woodlands,TX; niece Syble Cox (Joe) of Norfolk, VA and many other nieces and nephews.

William is survived by his Grandchildren: Ashley Butler of Charlotte, Dr. Natalie H. Rochester (Daniel) of Loveland, CO, Brett Carter (Jennifer) of Camden, SC., Hilarie H. Beam (Paul) of Forest City, Courtney B. Moneymaker (Travis) of Pineville, Cameron Hatcher (Danielle) of Elizabethtown, Jordan Carter (Jordan) of Whiteville, Whitney B. Shehane (Brandon) of Indian Land, SC, Faith Inman of Durham and Landen Inman of Wilmington. Great Grandchildren surviving are: Kason Carter, Briggs Carter, Connor and Morgan Shehane, Ayden Moneymaker, Lainey, Avery, and Sydney Beam, and Caroline and Carleigh Rochester.

The family will receive friends on Friday, August 25 from 5 - 8 PM at Zion Hill Baptist Church, Bladenboro (12418 NC 131 N.). Funeral service will be Saturday, August 26 at 3 PM at Zion Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Chris Hefner and Rev. Warren Hill officiating. Burial will follow in the Pine Crest Cemetery in Bladenboro.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to any of the following:
Zion Hill Baptist Church Building Fund, 12418 131 N (P.O. Box 7) Bladenboro, NC 28320
Bladenboro Historical Society, 818 S. Main St., Bladenboro, NC 28320
Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physician's Dr., Wilmington, NC 28401

Mr. Butler was a life-long farmer! Having been raised on a farm, he continued the family farm and loved the farm life which enabled him to work outside most of his life. He loved nature and working with animals and plants. He loved and served God as his guide. He was an extremely dedicated and loving husband and father who cherished his family and worked to provide, teach, show and share with them the important things in life. He gave credit to his loving wife Louise for her being the one who helped him do the things he did. Louise exemplified the Proverbs 31 woman and William gave her the highest praise by saying, "Louise has never disappointed me!" He always said he would not have been able to accomplish anything without her support and help. He adored his 10 grandchildren and was proud of their every accomplishment, encouraging them to serve the Lord and be the very best person they could be by working to make their communities better places in which to live. His 10 Great-Grandchildren brought even extra special love and joy to him. He was very close to each of them.

Mr. Butler believed and was devoted to taking an active role to help make the community, County and State a better place. In his church, he was very active in his earlier years serving as Sunday School Superintendent and Deacon. Many years of working with organizations for the betterment of the areas was a goal of his. Among his many activities were: Operating a dairy for 31 years in Bladenboro, Deacon of Zion Hill Baptist Church since 1949, Zion Hill Community Club President for 10 years, Member of Bladenboro Rotary Club over 40 years, Served on the NC Dairy Herd Improvement Association Board for 10 years, Supervisor for NC Soil & Water Conservation in 1990, Organized 1st NC Association of SWCD's Expo in 1990, ASCS Committeeman for 12 years, Founder of NC Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts Hall of Fame 1990, Inducted into the NC Association of Soil & Water Conservation District Hall of Fame in 1996, Bladen County Commissioner for 4 years, Bladen County Social Services Board 2 years, Bladen Development Board for 20 years, Served on the NC State College Dairy Foundation, Bladenboro Medical Board President for 11 years, Served as Recruiter for Bladenboro Medical Board for 10 years until completion of Medical Center Complex and occupied by Medical Dr., Dentist and Optometrist, Bladenboro Historical Investment Group, Bladenboro Development Industrial Board for 18 years, Bladenboro Historical Society since 1992, Proud pork producer affiliated with Smithfield since 1991, President of Bladenboro Historical Society since 1991 - except for 1 year of existence, Governor's Award in 1995 for Outstanding Service to his Community, County and State as a Volunteer, Named Paul Harris Fellow by Bladenboro Rotary Club, Received from the
State of North Carolina - The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, September 2012.