Meet the Band

Butch Willard

I was born just after WWII, on the edge of a town called Yadkinville, NC. I was born at home in a small log house. My birth name is Arthur Lee Willard, but most everybody knows me by my nick-name, Butch (I was told that I was called Butch before I was born). I am the third oldest child of eleven children (5 boys & 6 girls). I’m the oldest son of the late Jesse Lee Willard. I’m the only child out of 11 that took a real interest in playing musical instruments. I try to play a lot of different instruments, so I have really mastered none of them, but I can “hold my own”, so they say. I like guitar the most. I’m trying to learn the mandolin now.

As a young lad, Mom would let us go to the local churches. We always had to ride the church bus. Dad wasn’t a church go-er, Mom had to stay home with the little ones, but she always taught us to love Jesus and he would always be there to take care of us and give us a marvelous place to go after we pass away from this world.

I don’t remember exactly when I gave my life to Christ, because it was at a young age. I would guess, about 8 or 9 years old, but during my teenage years I slipped into the old worldly things and stayed there for many years. After marriage I still went to church, for a while, but I wasn’t living like God wanted me to. After a long, long time I finally saw that I needed the Lord back in my life and always had. I went before the church and before the Lord in October 1984 to re-dedicate my life for him. I’m still trying to live and do as he would have me to.

I started a group called “Final Flight” in the late 80’s and continued with this group for three years. I sang lead for the group, and also played guitar. In 1994, I started another group called “Genesis Gospel Singers”. I sang lead for the group, played guitar and sometimes bass guitar for nine years until the group disbanded for various reasons.

I started playing strings for “Angel Band” about two years and ½ years ago. I try to play whatever instrument that we have no one to play at different times. I play bass guitar mostly, fill in on guitar and harmonica as necessary. I try to help the group in anyway I can, in the endeavor that we might lead a lost person to Christ. I love every one in “Angel Band”, and I know they are all sincere in what they do. I will always be thankful for any prayers and support the you would lift up for us, and for myself, and my wife, Linda. Thank you for your kindness.

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