William “Butchie” Barber Honored with Street Sign in Morristown

Public Ceremony Held for Sept. 7 to Celebrate Morristown Resident

Morris County Commissioner John Krickus and Sheriff James Gannon joined local officials at Morristown’s Cauldwell Playground on September 6, 2024, for a private ceremony dedicating a street sign in honor of William “Butchie” Barber, a lifelong town resident and dedicated public servant.

The new bright blue street sign engraved “William ‘Butchie’ Barber Way” was unveiled at the corner of Flagler Street and Martin Luther King Avenue, next to the playground Mr. Barber advocated to improve and maintain for many years.

“I’ve met many great people who give their time to make Morris County special, but Butch is at the top. Every day is a gift, and he showed us how to make the most of each one. Somehow, he managed to fit 28 hours into every day," said Commissioner Krickus, who presented Mr. Barber a certificate of honor on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners.

View Photos from the Honorary Street Sign Ceremony

Wearing his trademark blue hat, Mr. Barber sat with his wife, Anita, under a tent adorned with stars as he was recognized for decades of service to Morristown. Mayor Timothy Dougherty and Morristown Councilmembers also attended and acknowledged his many contributions to the community.

“Butch’s work wasn’t just about Cauldwell Playground or the neighborhood; it was about doing the best for the entire community. You taught us all to be better,” said Sheriff James Gannon, as he awarded a certificate of recognition from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.

Mr. Barber served 24 years on the Morristown Council, representing the Second Ward and being appointed Council President. He was also the first African American high school wrestling coach in Morris County, served on the New Jersey State Parole Board, and volunteered as a firefighter with the Resolute Hook and Ladder Company. Throughout his career, Mr. Barber held roles in teaching, coaching, social work, counseling and management at M&M Mars and AT&T.

In addition to founding numerous youth programs and organizing Morris County’s first urban 4-H group, Mr. Barber led many projects to improve Morristown, especially the Cauldwell Playground, where he began organizing community and youth sports activities at the age of 10.

A public dedication ceremony was held at the site on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 11 a.m.