William 'Buell' Sutton Sr.

William “Buell” Sutton Sr., 78, of Okeechobee, Florida, passed away on March 4, 2026. Born on January 27, 1948, in Marianna, Florida, to Louie Carlton Sutton and Minnie Muriel Deese, Buell lived in Okeechobee for more than 47 years. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, he shared 53 loving years with his wife, Cheryl. He cherished poker, hunting, and above all, time spent with his family.

Buell proudly served in the United States Navy from 1968 to 1970 as a member of the Lookout Division aboard the USS Providence (CLG-6). The ship conducted extensive operations off the coast of Vietnam, providing naval gunfire support and shore bombardment in the months following the 1968 Tet Offensive. For his service, he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars.

After his military service, Buell worked as a master carpenter throughout his career. He served as Director of Maintenance at Hendry Regional Medical Center in Clewiston, Florida, until entering semi-retirement in 1999. Even then, he never truly retired, always finding projects to tinker with around the house, helping family and friends, and keeping his hands busy until the very end.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louie Carlton Sutton and Minnie Muriel Pollock, and his brother, Louie “Clifford” Sutton. Buell is survived by his wife, Cheryl Ann Sutton; son, William Buell “Billy” Sutton Jr. (Barbara); daughter, Tonya Renee Arnold; brother, Phillip Wayne Sutton; grandchildren, Tayler Melton (Hunter), Aubrie Tilton (Norris), Shane Arnold (Mercedes), and Tyler Arnold (Courtney); and four great-grandchildren.