BERNARD EDWARD BUTCHER, affectionately known as "Baba' to his family and friends, means Father in Swahili; Baba Bernard was a husband of fifty plus years to Patricia D. Butcher, father of five beautiful children, faithful son, brother, draftsmen, architect, and Army Veteran to fellow comrades who served in the military.

Bernard was born on December 17, 1946 in Amonate, McDowell County, West Virginia to Lawrence and Elizabeth Butcher. He was the third child of 12 children. Bernard was raised in West Virginia along with his twelve siblings.

He received his education in McDowell County public school system and graduated in 1965 from Excelsior High School in War, WV. He was a very academic and a intelligent student who loved to play sports in high school especially football and track. He loved being outdoors doing creative work with his hands and building various toys and jewelry for himself, his family and friends. His favorite pet was his loyal and faithful hound dog named "Dink" who followed him everywhere Bernard would go. He accepted Christ early in his life and was a devout and faithful Christian. Following graduation, he moved to Philadelphia, PA under the love and support of his late older sister Hazel Williams. While he lived in Philadelphia, he answered the call to serve his country during the Vietnam War era in the US Army. After completion of his military service, he returned to Philadelphia where he met and fell in love with his wife Patricia.

When he arrived in Philadelphia he worked for the Prestigious Architect Firm, Schulz & Polasky as a technical draftsmen. Bernard perfected the art of technical penmanship and handwriting that his drawings and blueprints were so exact the architect firm garnered him with the "white lab coat' where he would later be invited to prestigious dinners and Christmas parties from the firm. He was later introduced to Drexel University to continue his studies in architecture design.

After working at the architect firm he partnered with Jack's Real estate as a entrepreneur and businessman building and rehabbing housing throughout Philadelphia area and worked on numerous commercial property developments, painting and rehabbing buildings. You can see a lot of Bernard's work and commercial building painting just by walking down Ridge Avenue and throughout Philadelphia where he often painted entire businesses single handed in his early years. He took pride in his work and beautified blighted communities and neighborhoods one building at a time.