George Allen "Butch" Gilbert

George Allen "Butch" Gilbert, 80, of James Madison Hwy., Orange, Virginia, died on Friday, December 15, 2017, at the Hospice of the Piedmont in Charlottesville, Virginia. Butch was born on April 1, 1937, in Charlottesville, Virginia, and was the son of the late Henry Garnette Gilbert and Elizabeth Frances Lillard Gilbert. Butch graduated from Orange County High School in 1955, attended Fork Union Military Academy as a post graduate in 1956, then studied Business at Richmond Professional Institute (now VCU) in 1957. He was always a leader, known for his dedication to service and giving. A lifelong member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Orange, he served as a past member of the Endowment Committee and Chairman of Trustees. Butch was also a multiple-term member and past Chairman of the Orange County School Board, as well as past president of both the Orange Lions Club and Jaycees. He was an avid supporter of the Orange County 4H, Orange County FFA, Orange Volunteer Rescue Squad, Orange Volunteer Fire Department and Orange County Sheriff's Department. Butch touched the lives of countless Virginia farmers through his tireless work ethic and devotion to the success of his customers, peers and employees. He was recognized many times for his superior achievements selling John Deere, Bush Hog, Gehl, and Kuhn farm equipment. Butch indeed loved his family, friends, and the Lord with his whole heart and will be missed by all who knew him. Butch is survived by his wife, Betty Carolyn Talley Gilbert of Orange; a daughter, Laurel Elizabeth Gilbert of Aspen, Colo.; a son, George Allen Gilbert Jr. and wife, Stephanie, of Barboursville; three grandchildren, Halley Dayne Gilbert and Phoebe Gray Gilbert of Forest, Va., and Emma Adeline Gilbert of Barboursville; and one sister, Bettye Gilbert Dickinson and husband, W. A., of Mineral, Va. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2017, at 11 a.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church, Orange, with Pastor Craig Newman officiating. Interment will be held in the Maplewood Cemetery, Gordonsville. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening, December 19, 2017, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Preddy Funeral Home, 250 West Main Street, Orange, Virginia. Arrangements have been entrusted to Preddy Funeral Home of Orange.