Name: Billy(Butch) Puttman
Magistrate District 4
Age: 76
Family:
Wife Debra. Three adult daughters Amy Smith, Juli Brooks, and Ashley Salas. Five grandchildren Reece, Eli, Thomas, Ryker, and Isaac. One great-grandson Gentry Pate and our Aussiedoodle Bellarose.
Education: Henderson City High class of 1968
Graduate UK CLEAR
(Center for Labor Education and
Research)
Franklin Covey 7 Habits and several Classes Of Continuous Improvement (Kaizen)
I’m currently the 4th District Magistrate. I was appointed in 2010 by Governor Steve Beshear and still serving.
Public Service Record of Dedication to Henderson County
Retired from Rio Tinto in 2011 after a career dedicated to hard work and advocacy. I proudly served with United Steelworkers Local 9443 for 25 years as a Union Executive Board Member, including the last nine years as President.
In 2010, I was appointed Magistrate for the 4th District by Governor Steve Beshear, and I continue to serve on the Henderson County Fiscal Court. It has been an honor to represent the people of the 4th District and work on behalf of all citizens of Henderson County.
Community Service
My commitment to community service spans decades and includes:
- Trustee, Tri-County Council of Labor (currently serving)
- Gathering Place Board Member for 12 years, including two terms as Chairman (currently serving)
- Salvation Army Board Member for 15 years, currently beginning my 4th term as Chairman
- Henderson County Board of Health, 6 years (currently serving)
- Henderson County Regional Industrial Authority (currently serving)
Recognition & Awards
- Elks Distinguished Citizen Award (2012)
- Tri-County Council of Labor President’s Choice Award (2016 & 2017)
- United Steelworkers Lifetime Service Award (2021)
- Salvation Army Certificate of Recognition (2018)
- Salvation Army Gaynor Howell Award (2019)
- NEA Read Across America Recognition
I am proud to be one of two labor leaders who helped create the Labor History Program presented to high school students. In 2011, alongside Roy Pullam and Cindy Williams, I helped establish the Judges Scholar Program—an initiative that is still recognized today by Fiscal Court.
For Fifteen and a half years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as your Fiscal Court 4th district magistrate working to manage taxpayer dollars responsibly and make decisions that strengthen our county. Experience in this role matters—because county government directly affects our roads, emergency services, budgets, and daily quality of life.
I understand how to balance priorities, work with fiscal court members and county officials, and deliver practical results—not promises. Over the years, I’ve built the relationships and knowledge needed to keep our county moving forward while protecting your tax dollars. Re-electing me means steady leadership, proven judgment, and a continued commitment to putting our community first.
My three goals
- Fiscal Responsibility: Ensuring that the budget is balanced, finding efficiencies, and making sure taxpayer money is spent wisely.
- Economic Development: Attracting new businesses, supporting local entrepreneurs, and boosting job growth in your community.
- Infrastructure and Public Services: Improving roads, utilities, and public safety to ensure a high quality of
Comments