Hilda Woolard Butler

Born and raised in Washington, North Carolina, Hilda moved to Richmond upon graduating from High School in 1952 because her father told her she would never survive working on the family farm. She quickly secured a job at the State Corporation Commission where she passionately worked for 38 years. On her first day of work, she boarded a Virginia Transit Company bus (now GRTC) and met the love of her life, Tommy Butler. They enjoyed 38 years together before he passed in 1991.

In addition to her husband Tommy, she was preceded in death by her parents, Julius and Lucy Woolard; her sister, Mildred Lilley; her brothers, Lester and Harvey Woolard; her nephew, James Lilley and niece, Reita Manning.

Hilda lived life to the fullest, finding joy in every moment spent with family and friends. She spent her early retirement years caring for 3 of her grandsons until they were ready to enter preschool. The boys will always cherish the time spent with “Grandma Butler”. She loved attending their sporting events from the early days of Little League throughout high school. Hilda also loved to travel; enjoying multiple cruises and the many fabulous places that her niece Glenda and longtime family friend, Jo Ann would whisk her away to enjoy.

She will be forever loved, missed and remembered by her daughter, Robin Skulina (Russ), grandsons Christopher Lee (Kaitlyn), Hunter Lee (Nicole) and Trevor Lee; her great-grandchildren; Banks, Madden and Sawyer Lee; her stepson, Wayne Butler (Brenda); stepdaughter Carol Butler Bratton; grandchildren Wendy Morris (Nolan), Amy Williams (David), Hardy Eells (Sharen); great-grandchildren, Nichole Johnson (Dustin), Daniel Morris (Katie), Matthew Morris, Joshua Williams, Caroline Bailey (Wright) and Sarah Eells. She is also survived by her great great-grandchildren Jeremiah, Eden, and Silas Johnson, and many loving nieces and nephews from North Carolina and Virginia.

The family gives special thanks to her loving caregivers “BB” and Sabine. The amazing Assisted Living, Rehab and Physical Therapy staffs at Our Lady of Hope, and most recently, her wonderful hospice care team from Medi Home Hospice.

The family will receive friends from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at Woody Funeral Home, Atlee Chapel, where a service will be held at 12:30 pm. Burial will follow at Westhampton Memorial Park.