Daryl Waits

Daryl "Butch" Waits, of Lynchburg, Ohio, passed away on Sept. 9, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 77 years old.

Born in 1947, he was raised in Lynchburg with his four brothers, Tommy, Gene, John, and David, and his sister Donna Fiste.

Butch's parents, Albert and Waneta (Landess) Waits, preceded him in death, as did his brothers Tommy, Gene, and John. Butch was married for 31 years to Stella Waits, who will miss him terribly.

He is survived by David and Karen Waits, Donna and Ron Fiste, and sister-in-law Kathy Waits. He is also survived by two children and four stepchildren who enriched his life with eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His large family included many beloved nieces and nephews, and special family members, Gary and Connie Fender, and Tonya Fender.

At 19 years old, Butch served in the United States Army, with the 25th Infantry Division, Bravo Co. 1st of the 27th Wolfhounds. Butch was deployed to Củ Chi Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. He received two Purple Hearts for wounds and was deeply honored and humbled to receive the Bronze Star for heroism, saving several lives of his unit during an ambush. His nickname in Vietnam was "The Ohio Plowboy."

Butch worked at the Harrison Radiator Division of General Motors from 1967 to 1998. After his retirement from G.M., he continued working at Little's Farm Supply in Lynchburg as a mechanic. He worked on and off at Little's from age 14 to age 68, when he fully retired to devote all his time to his farm and his family.

A sincere thank you to David Waits and Tony Roessner for exceptional help on the farm during Butch's time of illness.

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at the Davis-Turner Funeral Home in Lynchburg. The Highland County Veteran's Honor Guard will present military honors at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.