Edgar Hayburn, 84, of Wellston, departed from this life Saturday, February 18, 2012, at his home. The son of the late Cecil and Nellie Fisher Hayburn, he was born December 6, 1927, in Washington Township. In order to help support his family, Butch accelerated his studies allowing him to graduate from the Washington Township School in 1943. He served the community for many years as a taxi cab driver and he was locally responsible for the collection of “air mail” from a location near Berlin Cross Roads.
His life as a public servant began as a member of Wellston’s Council and then as a Probation Officer for the Sheriff. Butch served Wellston as the mayor from 1972 to 1977, leaving that position early to become the Chief Deputy Sheriff. In 1986, he was elected Sheriff of Jackson County, a position he held for two terms. Lastly, he again became Wellston’s mayor, serving one term from 1996 to 2000 and two final terms from 2004 to 2012. His long career as a public servant ended on December 31, 2011, just 49 days prior to his death.
Butch was a member of the Wellston Church of the Nazarene, the Buckeye Sheriff’s Association, the Wellston Lions Club, Black Diamond Lodge # 538 and the Shiloh Shrine Club of Jackson County. He was also a Kentucky Colonel.
Butch is survived by his son Mark and daughter-in-law, Judy of Cape Town, South Africa; granddaughters, Amy Elizabeth (Joel) Slater of Portland, Oregon and Jennifer Braune Hayburn of Washington D.C.; and great-grandchildren, Sydney, age 9, Brooklyn, 7, and Jackson, 5. Also surviving are brothers Jerry and Tom, both of California; his sister Ruth of McArthur; Shirley Rogers and her son John, Aunt Betty May and Virginia Specht; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and his many friends.
Butch was preceded in death by his loving wife, Betty and one brother, Ronald.
Calling hours will be Friday from 2 to 8 at the Huntley & Cremeens Funeral Home with a Lions Club Service to follow at 8 p.m. The funeral service, officiated by Pastor Jim Griffith, will also be from the funeral home on Saturday at 11 a.m. with burial to follow in the Ridgewood Cemetery. Mike, Jeff, Chris and T.J. May as well as Wesley Archer and Aaron Gentry will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements for Edgar “Butch” Hayburn have been entrusted to the Huntley & Cremeens Funeral Home of Wellston.