Rotary honors Douthett
It was a Friday afternoon nearly 60 years ago when Rotarian Jim Graham walked into Bill Douthett’s clothing store on Main Street in Butler and made an announcement.
“Congratulations,” Graham told Douthett. “You’re a member of Rotary Club.”
That’s the way it was back in 1957, when Douthett, 28 years old and the co-owner of the Douthett and Graham’s men’s clothing store, became a member of Rotary Club of Butler.
Monday night, Douthett was honored for 60 years of membership and service with the Rotary. Members gathered at the YWCA of Butler for a meal, and club President Millie Pinkerton announced that the group was making donations to Rotary International to make seven members of the club Paul Harris Fellows.
The fellowship recognizes individuals who contribute, or have contributions made in their name, of $1,000. With the donations announced Monday, Pinkerton said that all of the club’s members would now be Paul Harris Fellows.
Pinkerton said Douthett’s legacy with Rotary Club of Butler is one of international service.
“He enjoys meeting people from other countries and other situations,” Pinkerton said. “That’s his great love. He just loved being with people.”
Douthett said he believes he’s the club’s longest-serving member ever. One Rotarian in the region likely served longer than Douthett, but he was a member of multiple clubs while Douthett has always been a member of Rotary Club of Butler.
“I may be the first person ever to make 60 years,” Douthett said. “I’m not sure, but I think I am.”
Douthett didn’t know much about Rotary when Graham summoned him into the fold in 1957. His father had been a member in the past but ultimately had resigned his membership. That didn’t stop Douthett from putting his all into Rotary, however.
Douthett would go on to hold nearly every elected position within the organization, and in 1964 become a charter member of the International Golfing Fellowship of Rotary. The network hosts golf tournaments between Rotary clubs internationally.
Rotary’s international initiatives and its golf and exchange programs became Douthett’s pride and joy during his 60 years in club, he said. Through the year he’s played rounds with Rotarians from at least 18 other countries; hosted visitors in his home and been hosted overseas in the homes of other Rotarians.
His favorite memories are often those of exchanges he’s shared with international Rotarians on those golf outings or exchange programs.
“I’ve put some stuff into Rotary, but what I’ve got out of it is a passion for getting people together,” Douthett said. “I figure sooner or later we’re all going to have to get together and solve (our) problems.”
