Harrison Butler Jr.

On February 22, 1934, in the quiet town of Wedgefield, South Carolina, Harrison “Sugar Boy” Butler Jr. came into the world as the firstborn child of the late Harrison Butler and Mary Robinson Butler. He carried the responsibility and pride of being the eldest of eight children, four boys and four girls, setting the tone for the kind of strong, steady man he would become.

Harrison’s early years were shaped by faith, family, and education. He attended Bethel School, Green School, and later St. Michael High School, which would eventually be renamed F.J. Delaine Elementary School. Even as a young man, he was no stranger to hard work. After school, he began his first job at Sumter Concrete Company, where he was entrusted with driving the largest concrete mixer in all of Sumter. It was during this time that he first laid eyes on a young woman who would forever change his life, Evelyn “June” Peterson. Their courtship was brief, but the connection left an imprint on both of their hearts.

At just 19 years old, Harrison answered the call to serve his country, enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1953. His military journey took him from the training grounds of Camp Rucker, Alabama, to Seattle, Japan, and Korea, before completing his service in 1957 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. While in the Army, Harrison worked with heavy equipment and rose through the ranks to become a Staff Sergeant. Focused on his duties, he kept his mind on his career rather than on romance. Yet God had a greater plan. After his honorable service, Harrison and Evelyn were reunited. On June 10, 1957, they pledged their lives to one another, beginning a marriage that would span 67 beautiful years.

Returning home, Harrison went back to Sumter Concrete Company, where he worked until 1963. That same year, he and Evelyn welcomed their first child, a son, Tony Butler, Sr. Later, on June 25, 1965, their family grew again with the birth of their daughter, Allean Butler.

In 1963, Harrison made a major career shift. He began working at Shaw Air Force Base as a civilian, a role that allowed him to explore many jobs, washing dishes, mopping floors, driving buses and loaders, and even returning to school to earn certification as a Sewage Plant Operator.

Over time, the Butler family tree continued to blossom. Harrison and Evelyn’s legacy grew through their grandchildren, Tony Jr., Mary, and James Butler, and their four great-grandchildren, Ciara, Elise, E’miya, and Rhylnn Butler, each one a reminder of the love that started generations before.

By 1997, after decades of dedicated service at Shaw, Harrison retired and turned to farming the land he still called home. He made history as the first Black farmer in his community to own a 50/20 tractor, a point of pride and a reflection of his determination to leave a mark.

Life was rich and full for Harrison and Evelyn, especially through their tireless devotion to Bethel AME Church. At Bethel, Harrison served as Trustee Emeritus and “The Father of The  Church.” These are great honors of recognition that he loved dearly and the church was grateful for his service and commitment. Whether working together on church projects or offering support to their congregation, their faith and partnership shined as one. When Evelyn was called home to the Lord in 2023, after 67 years of marriage, Harrison’s heart carried both the sorrow of loss and the joy of having shared a lifetime with his beloved bride. He often said it was Evelyn’s love and influence that shaped him into the man he became.

Mr. Harrison “Sugar Boy” Butler Jr. was preceded in death by his parents, Harrison Butler and Mary Robinson Butler; his beloved wife, Evelyn “June” Butler; his son, Tony Butler, Sr.; his daughter, Allean Butler; and his siblings, Jim “Joe” Lewis Butler, Titus “Candy” Butler, Mary Lee Pearson, Henrietta Sinkler, Elizabeth Butler Jacobs, and Lessie Mae Pearson.

He leaves to cherish his memory his daughter-in-law, Deirdre Prince Butler; his grandchildren, Mary, James, and Tony Jr. Butler; his great-grandchildren, Ciara, E’miya, Elise, and Rhylnn Butler; his last living sibling, Roosevelt Butler (Judy); one brother-in-law, Louis Bory Jacobs; one sister-in-law, Carrie Butler; and a host of other loving relatives, church family, and friends.

Mr. Harrison “Sugar Boy” Butler Jr. will be remembered as a man who lived with faith, cherished his family, worked hard with his hands, and above all, adored the woman who stood by his side through every season of life.

May the life I live speak for me.

When I'm resting in my grave,

there's nothing more to be said;

may the life I live let it speak for me.