LIFE STORY OF RICHARD C. BUTLER

My Uncle, Richard Carrol Butler (aka POP), was born on November 4, 1935, in Greenville, SC. His proud parents were the late Cleo Butler and Manning P. Butler (Butch), also of Greenville. Richard was the youngest of three siblings and the only boy. He learned at an incredibly early age that his two older sisters, Nanie Ruth(deceased) and Betty Jean(deceased), would always have his back. The family moved to Philadelphia around 1940 where Richard was educated in the Philadelphia school system. He was an extremely popular kid in his neighborhood. He was friendly, outgoing and had a lot of sports equipment that he happily shared. But, if the older boys decided he could not play in a game because of his age, he would curse them out and tell them he was taking his equipment home. This is where having older sisters came in handy, especially his sister Nan. To hear Nanie Ruth tell it, she was the one who always finished the fights with the neighborhood kids that her brother started, but Richard would tell you this was a fabrication told by his sister and that they fought side by side, usually winning. While writing about my uncle I was informed that he played for the Phila. Phillies!! I said, "Uncle Richard never played for the Phillies!!!" The person swore that he did and that for the past 40 years they had even bragged about having an Uncle that played professional baseball! The name of this person shall remain anonymous to protect my sisters innocence. I also heard he was a bat boy for the Phillies and that's how he got a lot of his sports equipment. So many stories, so little time. Uncle Richard did however, sell newspapers at Connie Mack Stadium during the Phillies baseball games. Uncle Richard graduated from Northeast High School in 1948. He then decided to serve his country by entering the United States Air Force being on active-duty April 1955 – September 1957. He was stationed in Biloxi Mississippi. A few weeks ago Uncle Richard told me how his brother in-law, Joe Finn became a real brother to him. Joe had married his sister, Nanie Ruth. He was in the Air Force also and had received orders to go to Korea. Joe had a brand new convertible that he gave to Richard, saying he had no use for it in Korea. This was the car that Richard drove to Mississippi and it began a brotherly love that will last forever. Later in life the two of them loved to fish and play golf. After his discharge from the Air Force, he drove taxis for The Yellow Cab Co and served as an Air Force Reservist. Richard always considered himself a lady's man. With his good looks and smooth way with the ladies he attracted the heart of a young, long- legged beauty (Richards words -not mine) by the name of Ollie Mae Hodges(deceased). Of this union two sons were born, Ricardo Butler and Orlando Manning Butler. Richard also took under his wing and raised Ollies' two young daughters from her first marriage, Wonderlund and

Delores Hodges (both deceased). He was always a fun, loving and devoted family person. My cousins and I will always have wonderful memories of times we spent on Millick St.

After driving taxis for a living, Richard decided he wanted to go into business for himself. He decided to purchase The Big Moose Bar, which was located at the corner of 30 th and Styles Streets, here in Phila. It became a family business with his mother Cleo running and selling platters of fried chicken and collard greens from the kitchen and his father Butch holding the bar down during the day. Great entertainment from a band called Carl Holmes and the Commandos and tasty food from Cleo's kitchen would pack the people in on any given weekend. People from all over and Richard's family members would frequent the bar. A wonderful time for all!!!!

The Big Moose Bar closed in1978 and Uncle Richard went thru a lifestyle change. A change that saved his life as he once told me. He started working for Septa as a driver on March 21,1980 and retired on May 1, 1998. It was during this time (1983) that he met and married the love of his life, Carolyn J Fitzgerald Yancey. In addition to raising his own children, he now inherited another son and daughter, Troy F. Yancy and Lolita T Yancy. For 36 years the two were inseparable, always together, caring and loving the blended family that resulted. They loved to travel, loved the Eagles and the Phillies (often wearing matching sports gear), and loved to go bowling. They even joined the local bowling league. My uncle once told me that Aunt Carol was the one that settled him down and brought peace to his life. He was more relaxed and more attentive to family than he ever was running the bar. He changed his priorities in life, realizing what was important. Carol and Richard together were a warm and loving couple. Family and friends gravitated towards them. The door to their home was always open and you felt welcomed and loved. The family will always have beautiful memories of the holidays, cookouts, and block parties that were enjoyed with Ricard and Carol. Uncle Richard served as block captain o 61 st street and as the democratic committee person. Carol left his side physically, on October 13, 2019. In spirit, they are now together forever, as one.

My Uncle Richard left us very suddenly on Tuesday March 5, 2024. A day we all shall never forget. He left us with a lifetime of beautiful memories and stories of his life experiences. It is in those memories and stories that we will always feel his love. It is those memories that he would want us to hold on to and pass down to the young ones so that he will never be forgotten.

He leaves to cherish those beautiful and fond memories: his two sons, Ricardo and Orlando Butler with wife Sheena; from his union with wife Carol, Troy F. Yancy and Lolita T. Yancy; Grandchildren Latoya Butler, Sakiyah Butler, Alexis Butler, Robert Mitchell, Blair Butler, Orlando Butler, Michelle Butler and Amirah Butler, Aliyah Burroughs and Troy J Yancy. Also mourning his loss are nieces Juanita Rowser (Kenneth), Kathryn Finn, Sheila Gilliam, Crystal Gilliam; nephews Milton Finn (Maxima), Matthew Finn, Jeffrey Gilliam; his brother in-law, Joe T Finn; sister in-laws Gladys Watson, Gwendolyn Ford, Geraldine Fitzgerald and a bond that will never be broken with the host of family, friends and acquaintances that loved this man- Richard Carroll Butler.