Volunteer Victor 'Butch' Henry relishes jolly role

Santa Claus (Western Baptist volunteer Victor ‘Butch’ Henry) visits patient Amanda Louise Mullen (right) and her great-great-granddaughter, Kirsten Jones, 9, while handing out stockings in the Transitional Care Unit at Western Baptist Hospital on Friday. Mullen will celebrate her 86th birthday on Monday, Dec. 26.

If you wonder who the jolly man is at Western Baptist, most people will tell you simply, it’s Butch.

Victor Henry, 68, widely known by his nickname, can be seen making a difference just about anywhere at the hospital. And he’s getting ready for his busy season – Christmas!

Whether he is transporting a patient, serving as a chaplain or dressing up as Santa Claus, patients and staff alike knows that Butch is kind-hearted.

Over 10 years, Butch has donated more than 1,000 volunteer hours to Western Baptist. After retiring as a shipping clerk from Arkema Chemical Plant in Calvert City, Butch decided that sitting at home wasn’t satisfying enough.

So he decided to volunteer at Western Baptist, and he feels it has made a great difference in his life and in the lives of others. “When a family member of a lost loved one comes up to me later and thanks me for being there during their difficult time, it makes it all worth it,” he said.

While volunteers are not paid monetarily, their reward is even more special, Butch said. “If you don’t do it for the joy, then you don’t really understand why you’re doing it.”

If you are interested in volunteering, contact Greg Holtgrewe at gholtgrewe@bhsi.com or (270) 575-8450.