Funeral services for Pat Butler, 92, a long-time resident of Leland will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 5 at Boone Funeral Home, Leland. He died Sunday, January 1 at South Sunflower County Hospital, Indianola after a long battle with colon cancer. Burial will be in Leland-Stoneville Cemetery under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Leland.
Pat is a veteran of the U. S. Army and served in the Pacific Theater of World War II, where he earned three Bronze Stars for three beach landings as a member of the 185th “Bushmasters”. He later participated in the occupation and rebuilding of Japan. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the Army never left him, as friends and family will attest.
He grew up in nearby Humphrey’s County, the son of W. T. and Treva Butler. As a child and growing up on a farm, he learned about two of his passions, hunting and fishing. After returning from service Pat married Anita Cooksey and worked for a short period in Florida but later settled in Leland, MS. He worked at the Stoneville Experiment Station beginning in 1949. He retired in 1986 and focused on his passion for hunting and fishing. He also fixed small engines at his wife Anita’s hardware store. His success in life can be directly attributed to his work ethic and his natural mechanical ability.
Mr. Butler is preceded in death by his wife, Anita Butler, parents, and 2 brother. He is survived by his daughter, Nancy Siddon (Mike) of Leland; a son, Jerry Butler (Mildred) of Mendenhall; 2 sisters, Frances B. Pace of Indianola and Colene B. Hardin of Belzoni; brother, Rev. George Butler of Bentonia; and 5 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
There will be a visitation one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Margham, c/o Leland United Methodist Church.