Stan Butler, 77, took his final bow on Friday, September 20, 2024. The son of the late Albert Andrew “Pete” Butler, Jr. and Genevieve Nacelli Butler, he was a 1965 graduate of Lane High School in Charlottesville, VA. Following his first attempt at college (including failing at architecture [“drawing was never (my) strong suit.”] and biology [“Saturday classes are for nerds”]), he proudly served in the Navy aboard the USS Borie (DD-704). He then returned to college with an attitude adjustment and successfully earned his B.S. degree from the University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce in 1972. During his tenure at Lane High School, he joined a group of buddies (including Ronny Pugh, Larry Shifflett, Warren Shifflett, Randy Thomas, Jerry Maupin, Vic Velle, Wayne Wingfield, and Jim Marshall) and formed bands called The Skyliners and The Detours which led to many illustrious gigs including proms, variety shows, The Cavalier parties, and one-night-only frat house concerts. Eventually, they worked their way up into backing up legendary R&B group The Drifters, Roy Orbison, Tommy Roe, and at one point, Brenda Lee (whom Stan had choice words about for the remainder of his life). One of his greatest joys was getting back together with The Detours (with the wonderful addition of Gary Bibb, Tom Bibb, Pete Carey, and Allen Ponton) after nearly 30 years and performing for several class reunions. After graduating from UVA in 1972, he came over to Bedford to stay for “a short time,” but couldn’t run away. After landing a job at Piedmont Label (now Smyth Co.), he worked his way up the ladder, eventually becoming Vice President – CFO, and retiring after over 40 years. Stan loved education so much, he returned to college (this time Averett University) to earn his MBA in 1995. Around the same time, he was a member of the first group to be elected to the Bedford County School Board where he proudly represented District 7 for two terms. During his “spare time,” Stan was an active volunteer with several organizations, including the Jaycees and the Lifesaving Crew of Bedford (and not the “Life Savers Crew” as one of his children called it as a tot). He coached Little League football (the Road Devils and the Bulldogs), recreational soccer, and served many years as an armchair quarterback for his beloved Wahoos. Stan was a member of Pecks Baptist Church where he participated in the praise band and choir in addition to serving as an AWANA leader, Youth Group assistant leader, and an assistant Sunday School teacher. He was also an incredible lover of the arts, serving as President of the 1st Board of Directors of Little Town Players. During his nearly 50-year tenure there, he held leading or supporting roles in shows such as Bye Bye Birdie, South Pacific, Guys and Dolls, Camelot, Kiss Me, Kate, Oklahoma!, and Wizard of Oz, where he played the Cowardly Lion to his future wife’s Dorothy Gale. Prior to and after his final role in 2015, he served as stage manager for director and longtime friend Karen Hopkins for numerous comedies. In 1983, while serving another term as President of the Board, he had the privilege of accepting from President Ronald Reagan the President’s Volunteer Action Award for the Arts and Humanities on behalf of Little Town Players. Stan was active in several aspects of putting a show together – as long as it didn’t involve using power tools, which he was encouraged not to handle. He, along with Denis Deane (who excelled in using power tools), were awarded the inaugural Volunteer of the Year Award from Little Town Players in 1985. Over a quarter of a century later, Stan became the fifth recipient of the Lifetime Volunteer Award. He remained active in LTP for the rest of his life, serving as Treasurer until his passing. In addition to his parents, Stan is predeceased by his son, Nicholas. He is survived by his devoted wife of 36 years, Lisa, daughters Kathy Rogers (Jeff), Elizabeth (Michael Colby), and Susan (Nay Clark), daughter-in-law Nina, brother-in-law, Chuck Gibbs, sister-in-law, Julie Carr, mother-in law, Frances Self, father-in-law, Hildery Gibbs, and six grandchildren: Ashlyn, Raquel, Ella, Indy, Vera, and Willow. He loved spending time at Sandbridge Beach with his family, drinking pina coladas, enjoying cracking open crab legs, sunning on the deck, and always missing spotting the dolphins. “A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.” – The Wizard of Oz. A service will be held on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 12:00 noon at Pecks Baptist Church in Bedford, Virginia with Pastors Bryan Sheehan and Brandon Palmer officiating. A luncheon will follow in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Little Town Players, PO Box 437, Bedford, VA 24523 or Pecks Baptist Church, 1020 Pecks Road, Bedford, VA 24523. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.