Buster Butler

     Buster Butler passed away on 08 04 2022 with his daughters by his side.

He was Born September 5, 1923 to the late Valinda Satterfield Butler and William Edward Butler, Sr. in Burlington, N. C. Buster was married to Mary Griffin Butler who died in September 2018.  They have two daughters: Mary Anne Butler of Elon, N. C.  and Anita Lee Butler of Raleigh, N.C.

     Buster attended school in Burlington for six years, moved to Prospect Hill and graduated Salutatorian of his class. He graduated from Elon College (now Elon University) in 1944 with a degree in Business. While at Elon he worked his way through College by being a Student Assistant in the Business office and as a  Waiter in the Dining Hall. He belonged to Kappa Psi Nu Fraternity, was the president of the student body his senior year and was listed in the Who’s Who in America Universities and Colleges. Buster did his graduate studies in Business and finance at UNC Chapel Hill.

     After attending the U. S. Midshipman’s School at Notre Dame, He was commissioned as Ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserve. During Amphibious Training, he served on the USS-LSM-276 in the Asiatic Theater. There he was assigned as Communication Officer, Gunnery Officer and Ships Supply Chief Censor. He remained in this capacity until the end of World War ll. He was a Lieutenant and he served almost 14 years in the Navy Reserve after the War.

     After the war, Buster returned to Elon College in 1946 to become Business Manager and Treasurer. He served in this capacity for 36 years and through the administration of three college presidents. With business skills honed in the days of dire financial limitations, he became a keen negotiator and an avid bargain hunter and a relentless guardian of Elon’s resources.

     On August 5, 1996, Buster was presented the Elon College Medallion Award, which is the highest honor awarded by Elon College for long standing and meritorious employee service. Because of his distinguished service to the field, His leadership was recognized by his professional peers with the lifetime certification by the National Association of Purchasing Management, Inc.

     Buster was a member of the Elon Community Church for over 50 years, where he served as auditor and financial secretary for many years. As a member of the Kiwanis Club of Burlington, he served as a past president, treasurer and secretary of the Kiwanis Education Fund. He served as a member of the Alamance County Boy Scout Commission and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce.

     Buster loved his family, friends, dancing, his home, the farm, Kiwanis and trout fishing in the mountains.

      Survivors other than his two daughters, include: Dr. Wallace B. Butler and wife Judy of Welcome, N.C., Jerry Butler and wife Cinda of Mebane, N. C., Jeff Butler and wife Aida of North Myrtle Beach, S.C., Valinda Feather of Fairfax, Va., Juanita Bell of Burlington, N.C., Marie Ammons of Virginia Beach, VA., and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters: Jeanette Greeson of Whitsitt and Kay Ackenback of Ohio.

    We will honor his life at another time.

     In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Elon Community Church, The William E. “Buster” Butler, Jr. ‘44  and Mary Griffin Butler ’49  Scholarship fund at Elon University or the charity of one’s choice.

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