Services for Thomas Loyd “Tommy” Butler, of Lee County, Ga., are3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at Matthews Funeral Home Chapel inGeorgia. The Revs. Charles Jones, Norman Denney and Dr. Herbert R.Pearce will officiate.

Visitation is Friday from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeralhome.

Mr. Butler, 79, died Feb. 11, 2009, peacefully at Phoebe PutneyMemorial Hospital after a long, courageous battle with cancersurrounded by family and friends. He was born in Brookhaven onSept. 3, 1929, to Thomas Loyd Nelson Butler and Grace NationsButler.

Mr. Butler was reared in Wesson. After he graduated from WessonAttendance Center and served four years in the U.S. Air Force, hereturned to Mississippi to finish his education at Copiah-LincolnCommunity College. He graduated with a degree in accounting andbusiness law. Mr. Butler was a Ole Miss Rebels fan. When he movedto Dawson, Ga., he became an avid hunter and fisherman and beganhis 35-year career officiating high school football all over thestate of Georgia. After Mr. Butler retired as a territory salesmanager in agricultural chemicals for Estech/Swift, he startedThomas Butler and Associates Vending and later a constructionbusiness known as ReCon Inc. with his son-in-law. Mr. Butlerattended Byne Memorial Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. He was amember of Radium Country Club, the American Legion, VFW, Elks Lodgeand Moose Lodge.

Preceding him in death were his parents.

Survivors are his wife of almost 60 years, Helen Kierce Butler;his daughters, Teresa Bish and husband, Rick, of Watkinsville, Ga.,Vicki Wren and husband, David, and Wendy Pate and husband, Greg,all of Leesburg, Ga.; his grandchildren, Haylee, Lyndsey and DaveWren, Brittany Stalvey and husband, Mark, and Landon Pate, all ofLeesburg; a great-granddaughter, Mayson Stalvey; and his belovedcat, “Susie.”

Pallbearers are will be Steve Kierce, Donnie Wingate, CharlieGriner, Charlie Jenkins, O.D. Jackson and Kenny Moss.

Memorials may be made to Lee County Animal Control, 759 Highway32 East, Leesburg, Ga. 31763, also known as Lee County HumaneSociety of Leesburg, or “Living the Legacy” at Byne MemorialBaptist Church.