Preston Taylor Wisehart

June 20, 1943 – November 20, 2025

Preston Taylor (Butch) Wisehart was born on June 20, 1943, in San Gabriel, California, and lived a life defined by grit, curiosity, and unwavering self-reliance. He was a man who believed deeply in hard work and personal responsibility—never paying anyone to do a job he could do himself. Butch reloaded his own bullets; worked on his own cars (until they became more computer than steel); and meticulously maintained his home by completing projects efficiently, showcasing his creativity and resourcefulness.

Butch was an expert marksman, winning championships in Italy and Germany while proudly serving in the U.S. Army based at Camp Caserma Ederle in Vicenza Italy in the mid-1960s. Butch started working at the phone company out of high school and earned an AA degree in Industrial Supervision while working full time. Over a 30-year career he worked his way up from the mailroom, to lineman, to construction supervisor for San Luis Obispo County before retiring in 1991.

Butch loved nature and the outdoors, a passion which he passed on to his children, Christina and Benton, hiking in Montana de Oro and other local trails after dinner many evenings when they were kids. An avid hunter and fisherman, he was as comfortable in the wild as he was at home. Family dinners were often centered on meat he hunted and butchered himself – and Christina and Benton would tell you the many ways they tried to avoid eating deer liver – but elk meatloaf, wild boar sausage, venison jerky, and fresh-caught trout and halibut were favorites. Butch was also a life-long dog lover, having several of his own for hunting and companionship and being unable to simply pass by a dog in his path – he won over even some of the more unfriendly dogs he encountered.

He had a quick wit, could tell a great story, and was a loyal friend – always quick to help a friend move, or lend a hand and tools for a friend’s home renovation project or engine rebuild. He barbecued for friends at countless weddings, celebrations, school events, community fund-raisers, and funerals. He would offer to keep a friend company on a long road journey – just to go along for the ride, catch up, and see some country.

For over three decades, Butch shared his life and adventures with Georgia Wells. Together, they explored the world – from Alaska to Tahiti to Canada and nearly every corner of the United States – collecting memories and stories along the way. He enjoyed following along on his son’s adventures that took him around the world, even visiting him and his family in Russia in 2016. He enjoyed time spent with his daughter and her family, BBQing, hiking, and sharing stories. He enjoyed sharing his love of hunting and fishing with his grandsons and it was rare that he would miss a youth sporting event or livestock show.

Butch is survived by his beloved significant other, Georgia Wells, his daughter, Christina Havemann (Tim), and his son, Benton Wisehart (Laura). He leaves behind four grandsons—Taylor, Casey, Altai, and Idris—who carry forward his independence, curiosity, and Wisehart spirit.

A barbecue to celebrate his life will be planned at a later date.