Leadership Institute
Kent Britten Memorial Leadership Award

2003 Kent Britten Leadership Award
Wendell Butler

Mr. Butler, of Lacona, was honored for the qualities of leadership that he has displayed throughout the years he has lived in Warren County.

It is an old adage that one leads by example. From childhood, we learn to do things by watching others. We call those who teach the good lessons leaders. It would be difficult to find an area of Wendell Butler's life that isn't a success. As husband, father, neighbor, farmer, postman, and cattleman he has set high standards. We might all benefit by watching Wendell. For his part, I'm sure he'd look upon most of us as kids.

Wendell and Ruth Butler have been married more than sixty years. They have raised six children, and I've lost track of the number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I've heard Ruth say, “Our kids aren't perfect, but not one has ever done anything to break our hearts.” This is a modest assessment. The younger Butlers show every sign of being good fruit from a good tree. They are honest. They work hard. They are kind and giving people. Several live and work in Warren County .

The Bible says “Blessed are the peacemakers,” but there are also times to fight. Wendell served our country as a soldier in France during WWII. Thankfully, Wendell has lived long enough for military duty to again be considered honorable service.

In the years following the war, Wendell purchased some pretty rough farmland in southern Warren County , around the town of Lacona . Wendell has never left God out of the equation. And God has blessed him. The land, crops and animals have flourished. The Butler pond is a family park lovingly shared with the greater Southeast Warren community. Each year, the Butlers raise a vast garden. They share more in eggs and produce than their family ever uses. It seems that I have heard that this generosity has benefited the congregate meals program in the area. I've told Wendell that God would surely bless him. And he said, “Think about it. If you have enough to give to others, then you've already received your blessing.”

If Wendell Butler is known for anything other than generosity and good works, then it is probably his Limousin cattle. I'm a member of the Milo Lions Club. Several area cattlemen are members. It's funny listening to them talk. When the subject of Wendell Butler comes up, a certain air of respect creeps into their voices. And they aren't just talking about old coon hunting stories, though some of those are remarkable too.

According to Capt. Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce, “Some are born great, and others have greatness thrust upon them. Then there are those of us who got it both ways.” I wouldn't say Wendell Butler was born great, and I wouldn't say greatness was thrust upon him. I'd be more inclined to say that, in Wendell's case, greatness is a by-product of hard work, and doing much more than just looking out for himself. May each of us be so richly blessed as we gaze into our ninth decades. We might watch Wendell Butler for a while to see how it's done well. We “kids” might still pick up a thing or two.

Nominated By: Alan Gardner

Warren County Leadership Institute made a donation in Wendell's name to Lacona Public Library.