Herman "Butch" Everett Petway Jr, age 75, of Vineland, NJ, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on June 24, 2022.

Herman was born on November 28, 1946, in Vineland, NJ. After graduating from Vineland High School, he would go on to attend Morgan St. University in Baltimore, MD. He would meet a fellow student named Gail Williamson from Asbury Park, NJ. The two would go on to wed and
share forty-seven incredible years until her passing in 2014.

Shortly after marrying, Herman joined the United States Air Force, where he would serve his country during the conflict in Vietnam. During his tour, where he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant, Herman served as crew-chief flying supplies from Turkey into South Vietnam and as a Combat Air Rescue Service member. His mission was the extraction of servicemen shot down while supplying close air support to ground troops; the motto of the ARS was, "That all may live," which were words Herman would embrace throughout the rest of his life.

Shortly after returning from Vietnam, Herman would break the color barrier by becoming the first black professional firefighter in his hometown of Vineland, NJ. During his nearly 35 years in the department, Herman was elected to serve as local union president. He received numerous awards and commendations, including Firehouse Magazine's Heroism and Community Service Award, First Responder of the Year, numerous citations for heroism, and eventual induction into the Cumberland County African American Hall of Fame. Despite these accolades, it was the community service aspects of his career that he would reflect on most fondly. These included organizing and supporting fundraising events for the regional burn foundation, counseling juvenile fire starters, and being a founding member of the Annual Fire Department Thanksgiving Breakfast.

Herman's passion for serving the community carried through to every aspect of his life. Herman dedicated countless hours to coaching and supporting the area's youth and HS sports programs as an avid sports fan and former athlete. He coached championship youth baseball teams, served as president of the Babe Ruth baseball league, was a trainer for the youth wrestling program, and was a coaching staff member for the Vineland HS Wrestling program. Among his many accolades was being inducted, along with his 1988 team members and fellow coaches, into the Vineland High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

He was a member of Union Baptist Temple and served diligently on numerous ministries and committees. In his later years, he loved performing his duties as a trustee and singing in the Senior Choir. He will always be remembered for the countless hours of cooking and fellowshipping with other church members.

Herman was preceded in death by his wife, Gail, and parents, Herman Sr, and Jeanette (Gumbs) Petway. He leaves behind to cherish his memory a sister, Renee "Bunny" (Weldon); son Randy (Felicia); grandchildren Drew and Justin; nephews and nieces Qawi, Bobbi, and Charles "Chuck"
(Joy), and his best friend with whom he shared his later years, Lorraine Fauntleroy.