An elderly Walmart employee has been able to retire after a kind customer started up a GoFundMe for him – and raised more $100,000 after posting him on TikTok.
Navy veteran Butch Marion, 82, was working 40-hour weeks as a cashier at Walmart in Cumberland, Maryland when he served avid social media user Rory McCarty.
McCarty was just buying some batteries – but had been inspired by a video where a woman start a GoFundMe for another Walmart employee to help her retire early.
With his grand plan in mind to start his own fund for the elderly man, McCarty said: ‘I just wanted to put something in motion and the Lord did the rest.’
Navy veteran Butch Marion, 82, was working 40-hour weeks as a cashier at Walmart in Cumberland, Maryland when he served avid TikTok user Rory McCarty
Rory McCarty (left) presented the hardworking man with the check after the fundraiser went viral
He posted a video on TikTok of hardworking Marion behind the counter – which quickly got millions of views.
McCarty then set up the fundraiser on December 18, which has now received $118,575 from over 5,000 well-wishers across the world.
Explaining why he set up the fundraiser, the TikToker said: ‘I was shopping at Walmart the other day, and was waited on by an 82yr old man named Butch.
‘As a business owner and knowing how hard it’s been to try to find good help for my business. I was astounded seeing this little older man still grinding.
‘Working 8 to 9 hour shifts. Recently seeing a GoFundMe for a 82 yr old lady working at Walmart on TikTok, and seeing they raised money for her to retire for good.
He said he will now spend the money seeing his family in Florida – who he hasn’t been able to visit for years
McCarty was just buying some batteries – but had been inspired by a video where a woman start a GoFundMe for another Walmart employee to help her retire early
‘I wanted to help this Navy Veteran to live the remainder of his years traveling to see his kids in Florida. Get him off his feet for 8hrs at a time.
‘And do the things he would love to do that he may not be able to for financial reasons.
‘Every penny will go to Butch. Janette, the daughter of Butch, has confirmed that I can withdraw the funds on behalf of her father and send them outside of GoFundMe. Once that happens, I will be hand delivering Warren Marion (Butch) a cashier check for the full amount given after the GoFundMe fee is subtracted.’
Grandfather Marion used to work at General Motors but retired so he could look after his ex-wife’s husband – but when he passed away, Marion took case of his ex-wife.
When she also died, Marion returned to work.
On Wednesday, the hardworking vet walked out of his job at Walmart for the final time and was presented with a check for $108,000 – how much had been raised by that time.
He said that with the money, he will pay off his bills and go and visit his daughters and grandchildren in Florida – who he hasn’t been able to see in years.
Marion told Fox5: ‘This is just unreal. I feel like a new man. Bird out of a cage.’
