Wesley Payton “Butch” Dunford, 78 of Bonifay, Florida, formerly of Abbeville, Alabama, and Orlando, Florida, passed away January 15, 2022, at Doctors Memorial Hospital in Bonifay, Florida. He was born February 9, 1943 in Columbus, GA, to Wesley Payton Dunford, Sr. and Agatha V. (Howard) Dunford.
Butch graduated from Maynard Evans High School in Orlando, FL. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and held many positions in his 78 years including working with motorcycles and building swimming pools. He loved classic cars and motorcycles. One of his favorite past-times was spending time in Daytona during bike week and the occasional trip to Sturgis during the motorcycle rally there.
Butch had a huge sense of adventure and a wicked sense of humor. Sometimes it was difficult to know when he was serious or pulling your leg. He enjoyed life on his own terms.
After high school Butch lived in Columbus, GA, eventually moving back to Orlando, FL. Later, he and his wife Sam moved to Abbeville, AL, to be near her family as her health deteriorated. He stayed in Abbeville after she died until his health required him to relocate to Bonifay Nursing Home in Bonifay, FL in 2017.
Butch is survived by his daughters Letitia Sharen Marti, Patricia Kharen (Joe) Spence, Elizabeth Christine (Michael) Marti-Walker, ex-wife Sallie Marti, daughter Rannah Dunford; and grandson Joel “Jeep” Dunford, who Butch and Sam raised until the age of 16. He is also survived by several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother Frank (Rita) Dunford, sisters Jennifer Dunford and Laura Stark; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents Payton and step-mother Doris Dunford; mother Agatha Dunford; his wife and partner for life Carol Ann “Sam” Dunford; brother Jack W. Dunford; ex-wife Paulette (mother to Rannah); as well as a niece and great-nephew.
Per his request, there are no memorial services planned. Peel Funeral Home in Bonifay is in charge of arrangements.