Autry Spencer Butt, Sr., affectionately known as "Bilbert"  or "Spencer" was born on November 7, 1947, in Norfolk, Virginia to the late William Thomas Butts and Courtney Belcher Butts. As a child, he was reared up in church where he attended Morning Star Apostolic Faith Church of God.

Autry graduated from George Washington Carver High School in 1966. After high school he attended Norfolk State College, where he studied journalism and mass communication. Autry served in the United States Army from 1967 to 1970. After his military service he was employed by the Weyerhaeuser Company for many years as a shift supervisor for many years.

In 1973, Autry was joined in holy matrimony to Lorithenia Johnson.

After the closing of the Weyerhaeuser Company, Autry became General Manager and the boots on the ground for his brother Arthur and sister in love Marionette business, STTUB private trash service. He later became owner of the business until 2003 when he could no longer work.

Mr. Butts was also "The Ice Cream Man" for many years in the South Norfolk, Berkeley, and Campostellla communities.

The highlight of his life was receiving Jesus Christ as his Lord and personal savior on Father's Day in 2010!!!!  He was a faithful member of New Discipleship Worship Cathedral under the leadership of Bishop Anthony Moses. Autry was blessed with the gift of giving. He was a fruitful and faithful giver to many churches, families, and organizations. He was delighted to give to anyone who needed help. He did it quietly and not to seek attention.

He was a cruciverbalist. He enjoyed his crossword puzzles and did them daily. It was his favorite pastime next to watching his favorite football team, the Dallas Cowboys.

He was proceeded in death by his siblings, Percy Butts, Levi Butts, Arthur Butts, Roosevelt Butts, Randolph Butts, Richard Butts, Toni Butts-Griffin, Olivia Young, Barbara Harper, Ronald Butts and Bruce Lewis.

Autry leaves to cherish his memories, a dedicated and loyal wife of 53 years, Lorithenia Butts; one daughter LaVonia Perkins; one son Autry Spencer Butts, Jr.; one very dedicated son in love, Frederick Perkins; one grandson who was the apple of his eye, Brison Perkins; three brothers Lawrence Butts, George Bunn, and William Butts; one aunt. Florene Yvonne McKee; two bonus daughters Stephanie Loftin-Roberson and Nadine Davidson; two sisters-in-love, MarionetteButts, and Jacqueline Flowers Butts, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at New First Baptist Church Taylorsville, 2720 Turnpike Rd., Portsmouth, Virginia. A wake will be held  from 5 pm until 7pm.on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home, Chesapeake.

You can join the service livestream at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at: https://www.facebook.com/PretlowandSons