The late William “Bill” Butler Jr. was inducted into the Hall of Valor.
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HILLSDALE, Mich. — On November 11, Hillsdale College hosted the 23rd annual Hillsdale County Veterans Hall of Valor Awards Ceremony. This year, the late William “Bill” Butler Jr., a decorated Army National Guard veteran and Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Deputy, was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Valor.
“Bill Butler gave his life in service to our country and our community,” said Jeffery Rogers, vice president of the Veterans Hall of Valor. “We are humbled by his example and grateful to honor his sacrifice.”
“Bill Butler gave his life in service to our country and our community. We are humbled by his example and grateful to honor his sacrifice.”
Butler was shot and killed in the line of duty on June 27 while assisting with a traffic stop. Hillsdale College hosted Butler’s funeral service in Christ Chapel on July 3.
The Hall of Valor ceremony included remarks by Fred Radke, director of the Harry James Orchestra and an annual guest lecturer at Hillsdale College, who spoke on the intersection of Big Band music and the military.
During the event, two high school seniors were awarded the Admiral Peter Beckwith Memorial Scholarship for their winning essays on how to reverse the trend of declining military enlistment. Caroline Roberts of Hillsdale Academy won the first-place scholarship of $1,500, and Brady Parker of Reading High School won the second-place scholarship of $1,000.
The Hillsdale Chapter of Wreaths Across America, led by Greg and Dianne Paul, was recognized as the service organization of the year.
The ceremony also featured music by the Hillsdale College Big Band, and Greg Whalen ’26, a Marine Corps veteran, sang one his original songs.
The Hillsdale County Veterans Hall of Valor is a veteran-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing and honoring veterans in Hillsdale County. Each year, the organization celebrates and inducts distinguished veterans into the Hillsdale County Hall of Valor. It also awards the annual Admiral Peter Beckwith Scholarships and engages in various community initiatives.
For photos from the ceremony, click here. For a photo of Butler, click here. For photos of Hillsdale College, click here.
For more information about the Hall of Valor, click here. For more information about the Hillsdale Chapter of Wreaths Across America, click here.
For a high-resolution copy of the Hillsdale College clocktower logo, click here.
