Shiver Cornelius Hutchinson Jr.

S.C. "Butch" Hutchinson, Jr. was born July 11, 1943, in Sumter, South Carolina, to Shiver and Zelma Hutchinson, and was raised in Summerton, SC. On July 2, 2026, he took his last breath at home, surrounded by family and friends, just as he wished.

Even as a boy, Butch understood the value of a dollar. At nine years old, he mowed lawns and delivered newspapers to earn his own money, determined to be a "sharp-dressed man." His mother told him, "When you can buy your own clothes, you can wear what you want," and Butch, who never cared for patched clothes, took her at her word. By age ten, he had saved $5,000 and loaned the money to his father to help purchase a gas station. At thirteen, too young even for a license, he bought his first car. After graduating from high school, Butch enlisted in the Marine Corps, where he rose through the ranks with remarkable speed, advancing further and faster in the dental division of the U.S. Navy than anyone since World War II. Following his honorable discharge, he became an avid pilot, flying small planes and helicopters and working as a crop duster.

Blessed with a high IQ and a photographic memory, Butch became a natural historian and storyteller, delighting friends and family with tales from his many adventures. He seemed to master any trade he set his mind to: he worked for National Tax Service, owned his own truck stop, drove a truck across the country, served as a city bus driver in Columbia, SC, and owned and ran Jan's Country Kitchen restaurant in St. Matthews, SC. Butch was an avid fisherman, known for keeping friends and family out on the water far longer than they'd planned. He loved to golf and scored two holes-in-one over his lifetime. While living in Elloree, SC, he planted and tended 75 pecan trees. He also loved music and dancing, and many fond stories are still told of nights spent at Beau's.

Perhaps above all, Butch will be remembered for his lifelong love of his Bulldog companions, whom \ he enjoyed watching keep visiting friends "at bay." His final companion, Coco, his pocket bully, slept beside him in his recliner, watched TV with him, and enjoyed daily car rides. She was treated like royalty, with treats to match. Butch deeply cherished the many friendships he built over his lifetime, and he will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Preceded in Death By:

His parents, Shiver and Zelma Hutchinson, of Sumter, SC; his three children, Tommy, Scott, and Catherine Hutchinson; his sister, Connie Davis, of NC; his grandson, Christopher Wade Seeger, of Missouri; his son-in-law, Randy Dwayne Smith; and many close friends.

Survived By:

His loving wife, Cynthia Lee Hutchinson, of Columbia, SC; Mary (Wally) Whitecotton, of Chapin, SC; his sister, Cindy (Al) Green, of Sumter, SC; his daughter, Dawn Smith (Mark) Wells, of Missouri; his great-grandson, Layton Wade Seeger, of Missouri; and most beloved friends Ron (Peggy) Craven, of Irmo, SC, Michael Smoak of Walterboro, SC, Ricky Furr, of Charlotte, NC and Dennis (Beth) Collins of Elloree, SC.

In loving memory 

The Family would like to extend their Gratitude to the Caregivers who were with Butch in his final days...