Primus Butler was born on January 31, 1932 in Thunderbolt, Georgia—five miles southeast of Savannah in Chatham County. In his youth, he fished and learned how to swim in the river behind Savannah State University. Before he completed high school he was drafted for the Korean War and served one year. He returned and graduated from Beach High School and briefly attended Savannah State College until his GI Bill expired. Mr. Butler loved working on the water, which supported his wife and six children—five daughters and one son—and can be frequently found fishing and enjoying what he has loved his entire life.

Mr. Butler recalls his most enjoyable moments on the water while fishing with his father, uncle, brother-in-law, nephew, and the “saltwater Geechee boys” in Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. He learned how to fish from his father, who was a seaman in Thunderbolt. Mr. Butler’s father introduced him to commercial shrimping and he recalls his first trip out, which scared him and solidified his decision to work on land instead. Mr. Butler recalls helping and cleaning boats owned by the Murrays—the only Black owned shrimpers in Thunderbolt. He still loves recreationally fishing and has perfected his techniques—bait, equipment, and timing—and always carries his net and bathing suit, just in case. Mr. Butler displays his gratitude and faith in God for all that he has received in his life and knows that “God is in charge now.”