Willie Leroy Butler

Mr. Willie Leroy Butler was born in Miami, Florida on July 3, 1938. He departed this life Friday, December 16, 2022, at his home in Taylors, South Carolina at the age of 84. He was the first born of two children. He was the son of the late, Ms. Sarah Butler (Bahamas and Miami Florida). He was also preceded in death by his sister, Vivian Butler of Miami, Florida.
As a child, Willie had many talents; he played the trombone, golf and was also a caddy at a nearby country club. He played many other sports but tennis was the one that became a major part of his life. Willie was so good that he was awarded a Tennis Scholarship to attend South Carolina State College in Orangeburg, South Carolina. South Carolina State College became his home away from home, which began the next chapter in his life. While attending college he met a young vibrant and beautiful college student from Taylors, South Carolina, the late Mattie Jean Greer Butler. They would marry after graduating and have three children. Willie is survived by his three children: Pamela Butler Garrett (Charles) of Spartanburg, South Carolina; Terry Butler (Diane) of Raleigh, North Carolina; Jerry Butler of Taylors, South Carolina; one grandchild, Keelie Butler of Raleigh, North Carolina; and a host of nephews, nieces and cousins located in several states and the Bahama Islands.
Willie had many accomplishments in life. He was an avid Entrepreneur. He owned a vinyl restoration business for several years and would try several other small ventures. He was a member of the Enoree River Baptist Association for many years and served a term as the Brotherhood President. Other honors such as Usher of the year, becoming an ordained Deacon and a Sunday School teacher and other recognitions by his church. His reading and writing poetry would lead to his poems being published and he was awarded “The International Poet of Merit Award.”
He thoroughly enjoyed volunteering to drive the church bus on Sunday mornings for the New Jerusalem Baptist Church. When given any opportunity to minister, he used his gift of “gab” to tell his testimony of his life. His gift of music, writing poetry and love for music allowed him to sing God’s praises.
– We continuously remember before our God and Father your work produced by Faith, your labor prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope in our LORD JESUS CHRIST. 1 Thessalonians 1:3
A private ceremony will be held in his memory.