Gilbert Butler

Gilbert Butler

Thomas Gilbert Butler, 102, of Guin, passed away Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at his residence. Born Dec. 2, 1922, on Glendale Farm in Woodville, Ala., he was the son of the late Robert Lee Butler Sr. and Almira Bottoms Butler and the husband of Marguerite Frances Reed Butler.
Gilbert graduated from New Hope High School and entered Auburn University in 1941. He was walking to class when he heard the announcement that Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor. He completed the year at Auburn, returned to farming and eventually volunteered for the Navy, serving in a CASU (carrier aircraft service unit) in Hawaii. After the war, he returned to Auburn and graduated with a BS in agriculture.
He married Marguerite Frances Reed at Koinonia Farm near Americus, Ga., in 1956. They found teaching jobs at Lexington, Sheffield and Center Star, Ala. In 1960, they moved to Guin, where Gilbert taught vocational agriculture. They joined Guin First Baptist Church and served joyfully for the next 59 years, until Marguerite’s death in 2019. They did graduate work at Auburn in the summers, both eventually gaining masters degrees in education. Beginning in the 1970s and continuing after retirement, they served as volunteer missionaries for 42 years, including more than 20 states in the U.S. and every continent except Antarctica.
He is preceded in death by his late wife, Marguerite Frances Reed Butler; brothers, James Edward Butler, Robert L. Butler Jr. and Daniel Madison Butler; and sisters, Nancilu Butler, Helen Ruth Butler Potts, Mary Alice Butler and Bettie Almira Butler Pearson.
He is survived by a son, Jed Butler (Terry) of Columbus, Ga.; daughters, Leanna Butler Salley (Dennis) of Hollandale, Miss. and Marcie Butler of Concord, N.C.;  grandchildren, Katelynn Turner (Tyler), Kendyl Salley, David Salley, Collin Salley, Rowan Butler, Caleb O'Quinn and Cliff O'Quinn; great-granddaughters Charlsie, Blakely and Annalae Turner; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
His daily prayer was that God would help him love others the way that Jesus loved him.
Funeral services were held at Guin First Baptist Church on Nov. 8, 2025. Bro. Zane Miles officiated. Burial followed at Bethel Cemetery. 179 Keel Hollow Road, New Hope, AL 35760 with Bro. Dennis Salley officiating.

Veal Memorial Funeral Home - Guin
Guin, AL
205-468-3323