John William “Butch” Shelby of Pennington, Arkansas, departed this life on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the age of 80. He was born on February 12, 1946, in Grubbs, the son of Elvis William and Cloice (Burgin) Shelby.
Mr. Shelby graduated from Grubbs High School in 1964, and on September 25 of that same year, he married the love of his life, Nina Bible. They spent the next 61 years building a life together in the Pennington Community, where they proudly raised their two children, Heath and Angie.
Mr. Shelby attended Eaton’s Barber College in Little Rock. Upon graduation, Mr. Shelby moved back to Grubbs, where he achieved his dream of opening Butch’s Barber Shop. The oldest business in Grubbs, Butch’s, began serving customers on July 3, 1968, with $1.50 haircuts. He continued to serve his community for the next 54 years, until he retired to spend time with Nina and his family.
He was a longtime member of the Midway Church of Christ.
Mr. Shelby was an enthusiastic fan of both the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Arkansas State Red Wolves. He enjoyed collecting bottles as a hobby and had a special affection for dogs, with a particular love for Boston Terriers. Known for his engaging conversations, storytelling talents, and keen sense of humor, Mr. Shelby cherished his lifelong membership in the Grubbs community and deeply valued spending time visiting with his friends there.
Most importantly, he loved his family. His wife, children, and grandchildren were his heart and soul. The last person he spoke to was his wife, Nina, to whom he said, “You’re a good-looking thing, and I love you.”
Mr. Shelby was preceded in death by one sister, Vera Brann; his parents; and his beloved dog, Buddy.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nina of the home; one son, Heath Shelby of Searcy; one daughter, Angie Carlton, and her husband, Barry, whom Butch thought of as a son, of Jonesboro; three grandchildren, Cade Carlton, Collin Shelby, and Caitlynn Shelby; two brothers, Jerry Shelby of Newport, and Charles Shelby and wife, Donna of Jonesboro; two sisters, Hazel Keller of Jonesboro, and Emma Lee McCartney and husband, Billy of Bossier City, Louisiana; two beloved sisters-in-law, Joy Zirbel of Waldenburg and Rita Beard of Pennington; several nieces and nephews; and a lifetime of friends.
Friends may visit at the funeral home on Tuesday, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Funeral services are 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home Chapel, with interment following at Pennington Cemetery.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Bobby Self, Eric Self, Steve Davis, Nicky Jackson, Richard Luper, and Ralph Davis. Honorary pallbearers are Gary Walker, Vernon Block, Jack Miser, Virgil Lancaster, Rayburn Williams, Dwan Evins, Larry Neely, Ronnie Howard, and David Howard.
The Shelby family would like to extend a special thank you to Colleen Blanchard and the staff at Ridgecrest Rehab, NEA Baptist ICU staff, and Elite Hospice for their gentle care.
Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home.
