08/13/2026
Many of you may have heard the name of a gentleman named George Roberts if you follow the Lizard Man Stomp. George was instrumental in making the Lizard Man Stomp a reality - but that was just ONE of his many achievements. He was honored recently by the Lee County Government and the following was taken from their page. Congratulations, George, and thank you for all you have done for Lee County, Bishopville, and the Lizard Man over the years.
Members of Lee County Council honored an extraordinary individual who has devoted many years of his time and talent making our community a better place at their Aug. 11 meeting.
Council Chairman Travis Windham read a plaque recognizing George Roberts for 18 years as airport manager of the Lee County Airport/Butters Field. The inscription honored Roberts for “your passion for aeronautics and your countless hours of time and dedication to making the airport what it is today, for your commitment to this community and the enthusiasm and devotion you have shown, Lee County and its citizens appreciate your efforts and thank you for your many years of service.”
Windham said that many years ago, when the County discussed economic development and growth, it always came back to the same thing. “We would always hear the number one thing you need to do, at this time, is have an airport,” he said. “It was very, very important…Ray Butters and George Roberts, who was his righthand man, made many attempts to secure funding for an airport here, going to Atlanta or wherever the powers that be were then. They were turned down again and again but never gave up and the bottom line is the main reason we have those facilities out there today is because of Ray Butters and George Roberts. That’s fact.”
Councilman Gordon Eckley agreed, sharing a fond memory of Butters and Roberts at the airfield before the runway was paved. “We were all in Ray Butters’ old Cadillac and went flying down that grass strip at 100 mph,” he recalls with a chuckle. “I’m thinking this 80-year-old man is driving this fast and am I going to get out of here alive or not?”
Eckley said he has had the privilege of serving as the chairman of Council’s Buildings, Land, and Property committee for many years and working with both Butters and Roberts. “I can’t tell you how much Lee County has benefited from them being here,” he said. “It’s just unbelievable to have two men of that quality to move here and live here and dedicate their lives to serving Lee County….We should be grateful that these two fine men have served this county for so many years and the County has never paid a dime.”
George Roberts was born Jan. 27, 1939 in Ithaca, New York. He earned a bachelor of science degree in education from Cornell University and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He later retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Roberts started taking flying lessons in 1959 and earned his private pilot’s license in 1963.
He earned his instructor’s license at Spartan Aviation School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He has been a pilot for more than 66 years and an instructor for more than 62 years.
Roberts has more than 17,000 hours performing flight instruction and commercial operation. He was an air traffic controller, serving 25 years in 49 states, Alaska and Europe.
Roberts was appointed as the manager of the Lee County Airport in 2008.
“George has done so much more than can be described in this room that people don’t know about and will never know about,” Eckley said. “People like this don’t come along every day. I just ask that you pray for George’s health and that his work and Ray Butters’ work continue being carried out.”
Windham said Roberts is someone who will always help out and never says “no.”
“If I were out on the road somewhere stranded and didn’t know what to do, I know I could call George and say, ‘George, I’m in a heck of a mess. Can you help me?’ His answer would be, ‘I’ll be there in a few minutes,’” Windham said. “I don’t think the man can pronounce the word ‘No.’”
Friend and fellow pilot Fritz Smith accepted the plaque on Roberts’ behalf. “George is not feeling well and is at home, somewhat bedridden but his mind is great,” Smith said. “If you know George and have a minute, please stop by and visit with him. His stories are still amazing. You know, to see George and if you didn’t know his history, you would think he’s just a country bumpkin. But he has an Ivy League degree; he is one of the most brilliant men I’ve ever met and he has dedicated the second part of his life to helping Lee County.”
