Butler, Robert Heman \\"Bob\\" CINCINNATI - Robert Heman \\"Bob\\" Butler died peacefully Wednesday, May 27, 2009, in Cincinnatiat the age of 90. Mr. Butler was a longtime resident of Fayetteville, N.C., where he worked as an attorney and served as mayor. Mr. Butler was preceded in death in 2004 by his beloved wife of 54 years, Doris Grinnells Butler. Mr. Butler's survivors are his sister, Mrs. Anne Marsh Butler Twitty of Pinehurst; sons, Rob Butler and wife Dawn of Andover, Mass., Greg Butler and wife Lynn of Charlotte, and John Butler and wife Margaret of Cincinnati; six grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Bob Butler was born in St. Pauls, N.C., on May 3, 1919, the second of five children of John Stewart Butler and Annie Jones Butler. He was educated at Wake Forest College. As for so many of the \\"Greatest Generation,\\" his world expanded dramatically with World War II, where Mr. Butler flew 41 missions as a B-17 bombardier in the southwest Pacific. For gallantry in action in low-level bombing missions, he was awarded the Silver Star three times and was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Purple Heart. After the war, he continued his education at the UNC School of Law. In 1950, Mr. Butler served as Fayetteville's first city solicitor, and later judge, in the new City Recorders Court. One day he noticed an attractive newspaper photo of Doris Grinnells, Cumberland County's new home-demonstration agent, and arranged to get a date with her. They soon married and proceeded to raise three sons, who all learned to play tennis from their patient father. From 1961 to 1963, Mr. Butler served as mayor of Fayetteville. He was a successful attorney with Butler, High, and Baer for 35 years, retiring in 1984. From 1970 to 1987, he was on the board of the Public Works Commission, serving six years as chairman. His PWC service was honored with the dedication of the Butler-Warner Electrical Generation Plant in 1989. Mr. Butler also served as chairman of the Cumberland County library board, as member and president of the Rotary Club, and in the Judge Advocate Corps and Air Force Reserves, reaching the rank of colonel. Bob Butler remained active in retirement, leading the startup of a newsletter and annual reunions around the country for the living members of the Air Force 43rd Bomb Group. Bob and Doris traveled extensively and spent time with family and friends. After Doris' death in 2004, Bob lived near his son John in Cincinnati, where he continued to make new friends, correspond with old ones, follow current events, read, and often sing, to the delight of others. Throughout his life, Mr. Butler was a frequent public speaker and avid raconteur, especially of war stories and family history. He was passionate about classical music, opera, literature and biography, politics, sports, education, international travel, public service, North Carolina and Fayetteville. Most deeply, he loved his wife, Doris, and their family and home. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, and a gentleman to everyone he met. In early May of this year, joined by his immediate family, Bob happily celebrated his 90th birthday. A memorial service celebrating Bob's life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 12, 2009, at Highland Presbyterian Church with Dr. J. Ernest Johnson officiating. The family will receive friends afterwards in the church fellowship hall. A private burial will precede the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make a charitable donation in Mr. Butler's memory is encouraged to donate to the Cumberland County Public Library. Checks can be made payable to: Library Endowment Trust - CCF, P.O. Box 2345, Fayetteville, NC 28302-2345, or donate online at www.cumberland.lib.nc.us/ aboutus/endowments.htm.