Robert R. Butts Jr.

MILLBROOK — Robert R. Butts Jr., 86, a lifelong area resident, passed away on Aug. 23, 2021, at Sharon Hospital. 

Mr. Butts was a Heavy Equipment Operator for the Town of Washington for 17 years, retiring in 2000. 

Born on Feb. 16, 1935, in Sharon, he was the son of the late Robert R. Butts Sr. and Eva (Hubert) Butts. 

Mr. Butts proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. 

On July 8, 1961, in Wassaic he married Hatty Wheeler, who predeceased him on July 8, 2019. 

Mr. Butts was a former member of the Wassaic Fire Company. 

He loved attending and participating in tractor pulls and was a longtime member of Columbia County Pulling. He also volunteered with the Future Farmers of America, Webutuck Chapter.  

Mr. Butts is survived by three sons, Robert R. Butts III and his wife, Michelle, of Amenia, Ricky A. Butts Sr. and his wife, Cindy, of Pleasant Valley, N.Y., and Brian M. Butts Sr. and his wife, Betsy, of Amenia; five daughters, Nancy Cookingham and her husband, Robert, of Millerton, Barbara Grady and her husband, Frank, of Millbrook, Cindy Race of Millbrook, Susan Whalen and her husband, Brian, of Wassaic and Teresa Whalen and her husband, Kevin, of Wassaic; a brother, Frank Dunn Jr. of Florida; a sister, Margaret Murphy of Florida; 17 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. 

In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Butts was predeceased by two brothers, Thomas and Joseph Butts; a sister, Elizabeth Cole; and a granddaughter, Brianna Race.

Calling hours were held Aug. 28 at the Hufcut Funeral Home in Dover Plains. Funeral services were at the funeral home, with burial at Valley View Cemetery in Dover Plains. Send the family an online condolence at www.hufcutfuneralhome.com.