Dr. W. A. Butts, Ph.D.

     Reverend Dr. W. A. Butts was born in Kilmichael, Mississippi, to Sylvester and Virginia Butts. He was reared with seven brothers and sisters, all who preceded him in death. After attending elementary school at Jones Chapel School and graduating from Spring Hill High School in 1951, Dr. Butts completed two years of study at Mississippi Vocational College (now Mississippi Valley State University) in Itta Bena, before joining the U.S. Army in 1953. After completing a tour of duty, Dr. Butts separated from the armed services and returned to Mississippi Vocational College.

     After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science, his professional experiences have been extensive, including his career as a high school teacher in Natchez, Mississippi. After receiving his Masters and PhD from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, he returned to his alma mater and became Assistant to the President and Division Chairman. Additional studies have been undertaken at the University of Toledo, Tuskegee Institute, Harvard University and a study of African Culture in West Africa.

     In 1969, Dr. Butts became a part time professor at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. Expanding his contributions to higher education, Dr. Butts served as President of Kentucky State University. His most significant contributions to Coahoma Junior College and other Institutions of higher education in Mississippi and throughout the nation were realized upon his appointrnent to the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C., where he served as Director of the Division of Institutional Development (Title III) and Director of Postsecondary Relations for the U.S. Department of Education, as well as Regional Representative for Region IV, Atlanta, GA.

     Dr. Butts' professional affiliations include: American Council on Education, American Association of Higher Education, Southern Political Science Association, Phi Delta Kappa, Alpha Kappa Mu National Honor Society, National Education Association, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and numerous others.

      In March 2004, Dr. Butts was ordained and admitted to the East Alabama Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and appointed Pastor of Saint Luke AMEC #2, Hatchechubbee, Alabama. On January 1, 2005, he was appointed Pastor of Wayman Chapel AME Church, Union Springs, Alabama.

      From his humble beginnings in a small one room school which served 100 students in grades 18, a young W.A. Butts learned from his teacher, Miss Sally T. Townsend, the ethics of working hard which served him well throughout his life.

        Dr. Butts leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 57 years, Mrs. Clara Coleman Butts of Itta Bena, Mississippi. Two children: Radford (Darian) Douglas Butts of Marietta, Georgia and Dierdre Vanessa Butts of Alexandria, Virginia.  Three grandchildren: Jonathan Butts of New York City, New York, Kolton Butts and Linson Butts both of Marietta, Georgia.

     Visitation for Dr. Butts will be on Friday June 16, 2017 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Turner Chapel AME Church 717 Walthall Street Greenwood, Mississippi 38930.

     Dr. Butts will lie in repose at the Walter Roberts Auditorium on the Mississippi Valley State University Campus on Saturday, June 17, 2017 starting from 8:00 A.M. until 9:50 A.M. A ceremony performed by Omega Psi Phi honoring Dr. Butts will begin at 9:15A.M. concluding at 9:50A.M.  Funeral services will begin at 10:00A.M.

     Burial service for Dr. Butts will be Monday, June 19, 2017 at 1:00P.M. at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery 258 Honors Circle Newton, Mississippi, he will be buried with full Military Honors.

Pallbearers

Dwight Butts     Deonte Butts

                Luis Butts     William Buts, Junior

Henry Colman, Junior      David Green, Senior

Honorary Pallbearers

Jonathan Butts

Kolton Butts

Linson Butts

 Service Information