Woodrow Butler graduated from Memphis State Teachers College in Memphis and worked as a teacher for several years. He served in the Army Air Corp as a meteorologist in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He briefly pursued an interest in flying after returning to Lexington. He married Mary Key on Dec 21, 1945. Mary worked as a teacher after her graduation from Middle Tennessee State and later became a County Extension Agent in Henderson County. Woodrow left teaching after returning from the war and bought Butler's Grocery from his parents (E. E. and Ida). He operated the store until his retirement. His brother Holmes also worked as a butcher in the grocery for a period of time.
Compiled by Jerry Butler, sources: James Howard Key II, Virginia Goff Butler; Henderson Co. Cemeteries, Beech River Families website, compiled by David Donahue.