Special to the WJH NORFOLK, Va. — Waycross High alum Navy Capt. Zeverick L. Butts is being honored with a retirement ceremony Friday, August 1.
Capt. Butts, of the Naval Safety Command’s Code 31 division in Norfolk, is retiring after 38 years of service. The ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m.
Butts enlisted June 10, 1987 rising to the rank of Chief Quartermaster. Capt. Butts received his commission through the Limited Duty Officer Program in June 2001.
His tours at sea include USS HARLAN COUNTY (LST 1196); USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (FFG 58); USS ARCTIC (AOE 8) where he served as UNREP BOS'N; USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7) where he served as Assistant First Lieutenant and First Lieutenant; USS JUNEAU (LPD 10) where he served as First Lieutenant and Senior Watch Officer; USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) where he served as First Lieutenant; Assault Craft Unit TWO where he served as Landing Craft Officer (OIC) and Command Navigator; USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77) where he served as First Lieutenant; and Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) where he served as Director of Seamanship readiness.
Shore assignments include Naval Station Norfolk Security Detachment; Naval Leadership and Training (Little Creek) where he taught the Leadership and Instructor Training Course; Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan where he served as Port Operations Officer and Senior Watch Officer; Director of the LDO/CWO Academy Officer Training Command Newport, R.I.; Executive Officer of U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and most recently he served as the Division Head at the Naval Safety Command, Norfolk, Virginia.
Capt. Butts has a Bachelor of Science in Administrative Management and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, both through Excelsior College.
His awards include, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (seven awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards). He is the recipient of the Navy & Marine Association Peer Leadership Award (Five awards) 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2014.
Capt. Butts is married to the former Tresia L. Boone. They have two sons, Zeverick Jr., and Caleb; two daughters, Mrs. Kimberly Bridges (Jacksonville, Fla.) and Mrs. Zevenique Harrison (Cypress, Texas) and seven grandchildren.
