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Arnett Butler
Arnett Butler of the Shinnecock Reservation, formerly of Westbury, died on September 3. He was 92.
Born on November 24, 1917, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to Hosea and Essie (née McKee) Butler, he worked alongside his father at Southern Bell Telephone Company after graduating from James B. Dudley High School.
In 1937, he moved to Brooklyn, where he was trained as a truck mechanic by his uncle, Arnett “Mack” McKee. He perfected his skills there from 1937 to 1941 and subsequently enrolled in school to become a master electrician.
In 1941, he met Arlene Dyson; the couple married in February 1942.
Some years later, he and his wife purchased a home in Westbury, where they resided for 24 years. Before establishing a successful business as a master electrician, he worked for several area companies.
In 1980 the Butlers moved to the Shinnecock Reservation in Southampton, where they built their home. Although he was retired at this point, family and friends recently remembered that his love for his work always kept him busy.
Those close to him also acknowledged that he had worked, “tirelessly, wiring many of the homes on the reservation.” His family members also noted that one of his proudest accomplishments included installing the wiring for the annual Shinnecock Powwow; an event he worked on for 50 years. He also lent his skills to the Shinnecock Museum.
He was an extremely active member of the Shinnecock Senior Citizens Club and, according to family, held a place of honor as one of the most beloved and respected residents of the Shinnecock Reservation.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Arlene Butler of the Shinnecock Reservation; three grandsons, Brian Hughes of New Hampshire and Robert Johnson and Jason Johnson, both of the Shinnecock Reservation; two granddaughters, Jolynn Sanders of New York City and Angela Hughes-Johnson of the Shinnecock Reservation; three great-grandchildren, Joseph Sanders of New Jersey and Jelani and Ajani Johnson of the Shinnecock Reservation; three sisters-in-law, Bernice Smith and Shirley Smith of the Shinnecock Reservation and Dollie Butler of Florida; two nieces, Beth Butler of North Carolina and Angela Butler of Florida; two nephews, Lewis Watts and his wife Leslie of Virginia and Hosea Butler III of Florida; and a host of other nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by two daughters, Phyllis M. Hughes and Patricia M. Johnson; two sisters, Iola Watts and Evelyn Butler; and two brothers, William Butler and Hosea Butler Jr.
The family will receive visitors on Thursday, September 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Brockett Funeral Home on Hampton Road in Southampton. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 10, at 10 a.m. at the Shinnecock Presbyterian Church, with the Reverend Michael Smith officiating. Interment will follow at the Shinnecock Cemetery.
on Sep 8, 2010