Oliver Scretching was born to Vivian Delaine and Oliver Scretching. Oliver (Butch) had two siblings, Margaret Delaine and Gary Scretching.
Butch was raised and educated in the Nyack area of New York, receiving his primary and secondary education through the New York public school system. Upon graduation from Nyack High School, Butch joined the U.S. Airforce. During his four years of service, he also served as a military policeman (MP). Following his honorable discharge from the air force, Oliver (Butch) met Gwendolyn (Gwen) Marie. Butch and Gwen grew to love one another and decided to unite in holy matrimony on October 27, 1974. That union yielded the birth of their one and only son, Bryan on October 20, 1976.
In the summer of 1977, Butch felt impressed to pursue the pastoral ministry by studying theology at the then Oakwood College. With the support of family and friends, Butch packed up his family and moved to Huntsville. Early in his pursuit of his pastoral ministry studies, Butch was drawn to another passion in audio/visual ministry. He had a passion for recording and editing the Oakwood church services which aired on the Oakwood radio station. After several years of service at Oakwood, Butch’s next passion transitioned to his love of transportation. He became a bus driver for Oakwood College, where he had the privilege of driving the world renown Aeolians to various cities across the USA. As his love for transportation and children grew, Butch became a bus driver for Huntsville city schools with Laidlaw busing. After retiring from Laidlaw, Butch resumed his transportation passion and became a bus driver for the Madison city bus company. Butch loved and enjoyed his time with his precious cargo. It was his mission to ensure the children were safely delivered to their homes.
Butch had a life long love of trains, which lead him to embarked upon a thirty day train journey across the country in 2022. The expedition began in Birmingham, Alabama and ended in the Washington, DC.
His loving wife Gwen preceded him in death. To cherish his memory, Butch is survived by his only son, Bryan; seven grandchildren, Reginald, Bryana, Desiree, Danielle, Bryan, Aliyah and Kamille; great grandchildren, Blake, Riley, Karter, Reid and Zy’kir, and the legacy of Butch and Gwen lives on.
Funeral service will be 3:00 p.m., Sunday, November 12, 2023, at the Royal Chapel of Memories (4315 Oakwood Avenue NW, Huntsville, AL 35810) with Pastor Larry Jones as eulogist and Pastor Vincent White officiating.
Public viewing will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., Sunday, November 12, 2023, at the Royal Funeral Home.
