There are so many admirable qualities, career and lifetime accomplishments for which we come to pay tribute to former Chelsea firefighter William “Roy” Butt who died on Jan. 6 at the age of 92.
Mr. Butt was an exceptional athlete at Chelsea High, graduating as a member of the Class of 1940 and excelling as the captain of the CHS basketball team.
There was Roy Butt, the young man who left Chelsea to serve with distinction in the U.S. Army Air Force throughout World War II before he was honorably discharged in 1946 at the rank of staff sergeant.
Chelsea firefighters fondly remember Mr. Butt for his 32 years of service in the Chelsea Fire Department. As he came to be one of the senior members of the department, the newer firefighters admired his helpful, fatherly nature and professional demeanor that he exhibited throughout his career.
We remember Mr. Butt most respectfully for the outstanding example he set for his family. He was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother and uncle who loved spending time with his family. Mr. Butt always had great stories tell about the Chelsea of years ago.
Those who have had the opportunity to meet his wonderful children recognize the personable, respectful, thoughtful and giving nature in them, traits both Mr. Butt and his beloved wife of 66 years, Vera Butt, passed on to their children and grandchildren in this close-knit family.
On a personal level, we remember how Mr. Butt would always attend his son Roy’s Chelsea Little League, Chelsea Youth Baseball League, Chelsea High School, and Chelsea Babe Ruth games and the tremendous enjoyment he experienced from watching his son excel at the sport. There was the magical day in Revere when Roy hit four doubles in one Chelsea High game, a record that may never be broken.
But he never boasted about his son’s excellence – in fact, he would sit quietly with friends at Voke Park at Pony League games and cheer on all the players, setting an example for all parents to follow.
Mr. Butt was a Chelsea product who loved this city and made it his home. He lived a great life and we feel so fortunate that we got to be in his presence.