Vernon Reynaud Butler Jr.

Vernon Reynaud Butler Jr., passed away peacefully on August 13, 2025. Born in Oxford on Sept 14, 1941, to Vernon R. Butler and Johnnie Scruggs Butler. He was raised in Batesville, Mississippi and graduated from Batesville High School in 1960. He was a member of Batesville Presbyterian Church.

He attended Arkansas State University where he played football until transferring to Mississippi State University, where he graduated in 1964 with an Agriculture Engineering degree. He purchased a farm in Benton County where he began his lifelong farming career. He was also the owner of Benton Lawn and Tree Service.

Being an avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and cooking dinners with his lifelong friends at Caulk Island Hunting Club, where he cherished time with his friends and being in nature. He had been an active member of Ducks Unlimited, 4-H, and enjoyed fundraising for Marshall Academy.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Elizabeth Graham Butler; daughter, Mary Elizabeth Hoke (Andy) of Edmond, Okla., and son, Joseph Yancey Butler, of Dallas, Texas; granddaughter, Mary Grace Hill (Weston), of Carmen, Okla., and grandson, Drew Hoke, of Edmond, Okla.; sister, Bobbie Ruth Lavender, of Roanoke, Va.; and faithful employee and friend, Sherman Griggs.

Services were held at 2 p.m. on August 17, at Wells Funeral Home in Batesville. Burial was in Magnolia Cemetery.

Sincere thanks to all nurses and staff of Ashland Health and Rehabilitation Center for their devoted care and prayers during his year-long stay.

Being a lifelong Mississippi State Bulldog fan, any donations in his memory can be made to Mississippi State University Foundation. Hail State.

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