James "Butch" E. Hester II

Mr. James E. “Butch” Hester II, age 61, of Reidsville, died Sunday, June 14, 2026, at the Community Hospice House in Vidalia following an extended illness. He was born in south Florida, and as a child, his family moved to Collins where he was raised. He was a 1983 graduate of Vidalia High School and shortly after, Butch moved to Lyons and worked ten years with the City of Lyons Public Works Department and served as a volunteer for the Lyons Fire Department. He served four years in the Army National Guard. He worked at the Metter Middle School, teaching sign language for two years. In the early 1990s, he moved to Reidsville and worked with the City of Reidsville Public Works Department for twenty-five years. Butch was a 3rd degree black belt in karate, and he taught karate and refereed matches. He had many John Deere collectables, and he enjoyed spending time with his family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James Edgar Hester and Lillian Katherine Brooks Hester; two brothers, Frank Hester and Bill Hester; and two sisters, Lynda Hester Cook and Donna Hester Swain.

Mr. Hester is survived by, the love of his life, Robin Gibson of Reidsville; two stepsons, Jeffrey Gibson and wife Becky of Reidsville, and Joshua Gibson of Mason City, Iowa; ten grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 19th, 2026, at 3:00 in the chapel of Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home with Reverend Rodney Gibbs officiating.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday afternoon from 2:00 until just prior to the service.

Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.           

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