Robert Butler

Mr. Robert Abernathy Butler Jr., 89, father of Heard Butler Critchlow of Union City, died Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at Baptist Memorial Hospital–North Mississippi. The graveside service was held Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Oxford Memorial Cemetery.
Mr. Butler was born on Feb. 17, 1933, to the late Robert and Ruth Butler.
A member of the U.S. Army, he served his country during the Korean War, before returning home to begin his career in accounting with US Steel. Mr. Butler was hand-selected by his company to pursue the up-and-coming world of Information Technology. This would become the path his career followed, leading him to become the Director of Data Processing at the University of Mississippi.
In his leisure, Mr. Butler enjoyed working with his beloved bird dogs, hunting with them faithfully by his side for a decade before the quail population declined in 1982. He was then was able to devote more of his time to the golf course. Whether it be a day spent hunting, a round of golf with dear friends or a quiet afternoon at home, Mr. Butler was content and fulfilled by the simple moments in life.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his former wife, Heard Wylie Butler; and two sisters, Mary Frances Butler and Jean Butler Smith.
Mr. Butler is survived by his daughter, Heard Critchlow, and her husband, David, of Union City; sons, Rob Butler and his wife, Laura, of Oxford, Miss., and Bill Butler and his wife, Icela, of Huntsville, Ala.; sister, Ruth Butler of Oxford; 11 grandchildren, Robbie Butler, Oksana Butler, Natasha Butler, Carolyn Butler, Vova Butler, Vitali Butler, Lera Butler, David Butler, Rachel Butler, Mary Lawrence Critchlow and Millie Critchlow; and five great-grandchildren.
The family requests memorials be made to First Methodist Church in Union City or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Published in The Messenger 1.11.23