Richard Carroll Butler

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.

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