Bill Butler

Well-known Hardin Countian who survived World War II's Bataan Death March and long-time U.T. Extension Agent William I. "Bill" Butler died this week. He was involved with many civic organizations and educational groups, and publicly shared his war experiences with others on a regular basis. Recently honored by the Lyons Club, Savannah Mayor Phillip Lay and Hardin County Mayor Kevin Davis declared Jan. 31 as Bill Butler Day in the city and county. Mr. Butler was born in Weakley County, Tenn., on May 22, 1919, the son of the late Horace Franklin and Gladys Waggener Butler. He had served in the United States Army Air Corps 27th Bomb Group in the 454th Ordnance. The 27th Bomb Group was the only U.S. Air Force unit in history to fight as an infantry regiment, earning its members the CIB (Combat Infantryman Badge). He was one of the many POWs that walked “The Bataan Death March,” the forceable transfer of some 70,000 American prisoners of war who were captured following their surrender on the Bataan Peninsula. He was decorated with the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and Good Conduct Medals. After returning home, Mr. Butler earned his Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He worked for PET Milk Company, before accepting a post at the University of Tennessee Extension Service as a 4-H Assistant County Agent for Hardin County and was promoted to county agent, from which he retired. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Savannah, the Lions Club, and the Disabled American Veterans. In addition to Savannah, he had also lived in Mayfield, Ky., Camden, Martin, and Paris, Tenn. His family said Bill was an avid UT fan and loved gardening. Mr. Butler departed this life on Sunday, Feb. 8, at the age of 89 years, 8 months, 17 days. Services were held Tuesday, Feb. 10, at Shackelford Chapel in Savannah with Jason Mackey officiating. Burial was in Lexington City Cemetery. He is survived by his daughter, Paula Butler Jones of Pickwick Dam; a sister, Minnie Parham of Dresden, Tenn.; and two grandchildren, Christopher E. Jones and Clinton D. Jones. In addition to his parents, Mr. Butler was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Katherine Rhodes on March 10, 1986; his second wife, Hazel Stanford Blevins on April 14, 2004; two brothers and two sisters.