
Cherryville “Y’s” beloved Butch Boyd retires after 15-plus years
Many friends and co-workers came by and shared pizza and memories of good times
by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info
The staff and family of the Cherryville Family YMCA said a fond “See you later”, coupled with a heartfelt “We love ya!” to long-time manager/administrator Butch Boyd last Wednesday, June 29.
Boyd, who has been with the YMCA since May 2, 2007, and his wife of 54 years, Kathy, were the guests of honor at pizza party given in his honor at the new Cherryville YMCA, on Mountain Street.
All of Boyd’s friends and co-workers were there as well as many Y members who all came by to not only wish him well in his retirement but to wish him Happy Birthday as well since Wednesday was also his 76th birthday.
Gaston County Family YMCA CEO Sharon Padgett noted that Butch first started at the Stowe Family Y, manning the front desk, then moved over to the Central Y and worked front desk there.
She said, in a recent email to the Eagle, “He came to the Cherryville Y in 2010 and never looked back!”
Mr. Boyd said he has also worked in 2008 for the Billy Graham Ministries on a part-time and full-time basis in the past, thoroughly enjoying that work as he was able to witness about his Christian faith and his deeply held belief in God and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Boyd said he had two strokes while working for the BGEA and had to leave as a result of that, but added he truly loved being there.
He and Kathy have two children, Gary, 52, and Lea Ellen Binderup, 48. The Boyd’s (Butch and Kathy) are the grandparents of three, and enjoy spending time with them when they can do so.
Of his retirement, Butch said though he planned to retire at the first of 2022 but things didn’t go quite as planned. He is currently battling a health issue but thanks to his strong faith in God and with the help of his family and friends, he said he is going to continue to get better.
As for retirement, Boyd said, “Honestly, I don’t know what I’m going to do now that I’m retiring. I’m a true workaholic! I have worked since I was 16,” he said.
Boyd served his country, he said, in the Vietnam War, from 1967 to 1968 and was there, he added, during the bloody Tet Offensive.
His friend and fellow Cherryville Family ‘Y’ employee, Sandy Homesley (Accounts Payable), said she was going to miss working with him on a daily basis, but she said he mentioned to her and others he will try as much as he can to try and get by to see them every now and then.
“I have worked with Butch now for 15 years,” she said. “We both have good memories of being here at the Cherryville Y. I will never forget him and those memories and the people we have known and have gotten to join the Y. Our legacy here together is, I believe, is helping all those people have a healthier lifestyle. Our members are our mission; I really believe that.”
Employee Debbie Lesenger, who has worked with Butch for six years, said, “I’m definitely going to miss him. He is fun to work with. His Christian life bled over into his work life.”
New Cherryville Family YMCA director Josey Messer said that while he only got to work with Butch for six months, Butch is “irreplaceable”.
Messer continued, “The community impact; the relationships he has cultivated and created; this means for me to hear. He (Butch) has touched the full triangle (Spirit. Mind, Body) of who we are at the Y and what we do.”
Ms. Padgett continued in her praise for Butch by noting, “He has served as our Number One Ambassador in Cherryville. He has taught group exercise classes at Peak (Resources); water aerobics at the Cherryville pool; Silver Sneakers classes at the Cherryville Y; started the ‘Live Y’rs’ senior social hour at the Y. He and Sandy Homesley (his side kick) have made the Cherryville Y a place to belong for many people over the years. He has invited many of his classes to his house for pool parties; he has prayed for almost every person at the Cherryville Y and he has spoken at the funerals of some of his dearest friends from the Cherryville Y.”
Padgett further stated, “Butch didn’t just show up for work – he showed up every day for his purpose! His purpose was to love people through the Y and share the love of Christ through his daily example at the Y. His daily presence will be missed, but I know without a doubt that you will see him from time to time sitting at the table, drinking his sweet, sweet tea and fellowshipping with his best friend...YOU, the Y member!”
by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info
The staff and family of the Cherryville Family YMCA said a fond “See you later”, coupled with a heartfelt “We love ya!” to long-time manager/administrator Butch Boyd last Wednesday, June 29.
Boyd, who has been with the YMCA since May 2, 2007, and his wife of 54 years, Kathy, were the guests of honor at pizza party given in his honor at the new Cherryville YMCA, on Mountain Street.
All of Boyd’s friends and co-workers were there as well as many Y members who all came by to not only wish him well in his retirement but to wish him Happy Birthday as well since Wednesday was also his 76th birthday.
Gaston County Family YMCA CEO Sharon Padgett noted that Butch first started at the Stowe Family Y, manning the front desk, then moved over to the Central Y and worked front desk there.
She said, in a recent email to the Eagle, “He came to the Cherryville Y in 2010 and never looked back!”
Mr. Boyd said he has also worked in 2008 for the Billy Graham Ministries on a part-time and full-time basis in the past, thoroughly enjoying that work as he was able to witness about his Christian faith and his deeply held belief in God and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Boyd said he had two strokes while working for the BGEA and had to leave as a result of that, but added he truly loved being there.
He and Kathy have two children, Gary, 52, and Lea Ellen Binderup, 48. The Boyd’s (Butch and Kathy) are the grandparents of three, and enjoy spending time with them when they can do so.
Of his retirement, Butch said though he planned to retire at the first of 2022 but things didn’t go quite as planned. He is currently battling a health issue but thanks to his strong faith in God and with the help of his family and friends, he said he is going to continue to get better.
As for retirement, Boyd said, “Honestly, I don’t know what I’m going to do now that I’m retiring. I’m a true workaholic! I have worked since I was 16,” he said.
Boyd served his country, he said, in the Vietnam War, from 1967 to 1968 and was there, he added, during the bloody Tet Offensive.
His friend and fellow Cherryville Family ‘Y’ employee, Sandy Homesley (Accounts Payable), said she was going to miss working with him on a daily basis, but she said he mentioned to her and others he will try as much as he can to try and get by to see them every now and then.
“I have worked with Butch now for 15 years,” she said. “We both have good memories of being here at the Cherryville Y. I will never forget him and those memories and the people we have known and have gotten to join the Y. Our legacy here together is, I believe, is helping all those people have a healthier lifestyle. Our members are our mission; I really believe that.”
Employee Debbie Lesenger, who has worked with Butch for six years, said, “I’m definitely going to miss him. He is fun to work with. His Christian life bled over into his work life.”
New Cherryville Family YMCA director Josey Messer said that while he only got to work with Butch for six months, Butch is “irreplaceable”.
Messer continued, “The community impact; the relationships he has cultivated and created; this means for me to hear. He (Butch) has touched the full triangle (Spirit. Mind, Body) of who we are at the Y and what we do.”
Ms. Padgett continued in her praise for Butch by noting, “He has served as our Number One Ambassador in Cherryville. He has taught group exercise classes at Peak (Resources); water aerobics at the Cherryville pool; Silver Sneakers classes at the Cherryville Y; started the ‘Live Y’rs’ senior social hour at the Y. He and Sandy Homesley (his side kick) have made the Cherryville Y a place to belong for many people over the years. He has invited many of his classes to his house for pool parties; he has prayed for almost every person at the Cherryville Y and he has spoken at the funerals of some of his dearest friends from the Cherryville Y.”
Padgett further stated, “Butch didn’t just show up for work – he showed up every day for his purpose! His purpose was to love people through the Y and share the love of Christ through his daily example at the Y. His daily presence will be missed, but I know without a doubt that you will see him from time to time sitting at the table, drinking his sweet, sweet tea and fellowshipping with his best friend...YOU, the Y member!”