An 82-year-old Walmart cashier is grateful for the actions of a sympathetic bug exterminator, which will allow him to finally retire.
Butch Marion, a former United States military veteran, was able to call it quits at Walmart after one of his customers sympathized with him and created a GoFundMe campaign that raised $108,682 last week. The social media expert posted a video of the hardworking senior on TikTok.
Marion, who lives in Cumberland, Maryland, was working a full shift as a cashier at Walmart, when he checked out Rory McCarty, a small business owner who specializes in bug extermination and has a huge following on TikTok.
Inspired by a success story from a similar campaign where money had been raised for a Walmart employee, McCarty posted a video of the hardworking Marion behind the Walmart cash register. The video received millions of views, which prompted McCarty to start a GoFundMe page on December 18, to help raise money so that the senior could visit his family.
Asked why he started the fundraiser, the TikToker explained, “I was shopping at Walmart and I was waited on by an 82-year-old man. As a business owner, I understand how hard it is to try and find help for my business, and I was amazed seeing the old man still grinding and working eight-hour shifts.”
McCarty said he wanted to help Marion get to see his kids and grandkids in Florida.
Marion gave Walmart his two-week notice and worked his final shift last week. Local media filmed the new retiree in the Walmart parking lot, as he was handed a check by McCarty and was greeted by applause from loved ones and spectators.
After he was handed the check for over $100,000, his first response was “Wow.” After that he shared his gratitude with the kind TikTok businessman, and said “I love you.”
The veteran said that he would pay off his debts and visit his daughters and grandchildren with the money.
“All I can say is that God has blessed me for what I did at my youthful age,” Marion added.
See the video here.