In Loving Memory of Butch Walcott
July 26, 1939 – September 20, 2025

On the evening of September 20, 2025, at 5:15 PM in Decatur, Texas, Butch Walcott peacefully departed this life, leaving behind a legacy of love, strength, and laughter that will echo in the hearts of his family and friends for generations to come. He was 86 years old.

Born on July 26, 1939, in Fort Worth, Texas, Butch was the cherished son of Elmo Ray "Popeye" Walcott and Lee Ora Ingram-Robertson. From the very beginning, Butch's life was filled with a spirit of adventure. As a boy, he was rough and rowdy in the most endearing way—mischievous, full of energy, and often finding himself in trouble, the kind of child who kept everyone on their toes and smiling. He shared countless treasured memories fishing alongside his father, those early mornings by the water planting in him a lifelong love for the quiet peace of nature and the simple joys of being outdoors.

Raised in a Christian home, Butch's faith foundation was set early, but it was later in life when he truly came to embrace the Lord. His journey was one of growth and grace, and in his later years, he found solace and strength in reading the Bible, carrying his faith with him as a guiding light.

In his working years, Butch's hands were never idle. He began in the ironwork trade, where his skill, determination, and grit shone. For a time, he even ran his own crew, showing his leadership and drive. Eventually, he found his true calling on the open highway as a truck driver, a profession that became not just his work but his way of life. He had a deep and abiding love for the road—its freedom, its rhythm, its stories. For decades, he traveled across Texas and beyond, and even after his retirement in 2000, the open road always lived in his heart.

Butch was a proud Texan through and through. He loved the land, the people, and the traditions of the Lone Star State. He carried that pride into his many passions: fishing, yard work, sports, games, and above all, his family. He loved all sports, from football to baseball, and could cheer with the best of them. A lifelong reader, he immersed himself in tales of cowboys and the Old West, and in later years, he found great comfort in scripture.

He had a fondness for movies—especially westerns—and John Wayne was his hero. He could watch a Duke film a hundred times and never tire of it, finding in those stories a mirror of the values he cherished: courage, loyalty, and resilience. Butch also had a playful side; he enjoyed poker, dominoes, and nearly any game that brought people together. Around a card table or domino board, laughter was never far away.

At the heart of it all, Butch's greatest love was his family. He was a devoted father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend. He delighted in the laughter of his grandchildren, the hugs of his great-grandchildren, and the closeness of his children. His family was his true treasure, and his memory will live on most vividly in their stories, their gatherings, and their lives.

Butch leaves behind a family who will forever cherish him: his son, Rodney Walcott and his girlfriend Amy Burke; his daughters and their families, Patty and Bubba Upchurch, Tammy Walcott, and Beth Correll; his brother, Dennis Robertson; eight beloved grandchildren; ten adored great-grandchildren; and a large circle of nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmo Ray "Popeye" Walcott and Lee Ora Ingram-Robertson; his brother, Ronnie Walcott; and his sister, Norma Jean Blackwood.

A graveside service honoring his life will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Azleland Cemetery in Azle, Texas. Family and friends will gather beneath the Texas sky to celebrate a life well-lived, a heart well-loved, and a soul now at peace.

A Final Word of Faith
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint." — Isaiah 40:31
As Butch takes his final journey, may we find peace in knowing that he now rests in the arms of the Lord he came to love so dearly. May his memory inspire us to live with the same boldness, love, and devotion that he carried through every mile of his life's road.