James Bier Jr. of Butler celebrated his 98th birthday recently.

Born Sept. 7, 1907, in Rochester, Ky., he married Marie Morris on June 26, 1939.

He has four children, Martha Samson of Meridian, Miss.; Joan Adamo of Butler; Sue Bier of Kissimmee, Fla.; and James Bier III of Renfrew. He also has 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Bier is a retired mechanic and professional photographer.

He belongs to Oak Hills Christian Church and is a lifetime member of the Butler County Amateur Radio Association. A member of the Order of the Arrow, he developed and structured several local Boy Scout troops and taught Morse code and leather work on a local level.

Bier received an achievement award for preparation of emergency communication and a service award for 40 years of service with the Navy-Marine Corps Military Affiliated Radio Systems.