MD Walmart Cashier, 82, Retires After TikTok Video Raises $140K

CUMBERLAND, MD — An 82-year-old Walmart cashier hung up his blue vest for the last time last week thanks to a TikTok video that raised more than $140,000 to help the grandfather and Navy veteran retire.

Rory McCarty, a TikTok user who goes by the name @bug_boys and owns a bug extermination business, posted a video on Dec. 16 highlighting the first time he met Butch Marion of Cumberland. Since he posted the video, it's racked up more than 3.3. million views.

"82yr old Butch still putting in work," McCarty wrote in the video's caption. "Has anybody seen the videos where a guy raised 180g's to help an 82 yr old walmart employee retire. We ought to do that for Butch. Who would donate?"

It turns out more than 5,700 people. Together, they donated more than $140,000 to help Marion retire — and that number is still growing.

In later videos, McCarty revealed that Marion had been working since he was 11. Marion is also a 10-year Navy veteran.

"As a business owner and knowing how hard it's been to try to find good help for my business. I was astounded seeing this little older man still grinding. Working 8 to 9 hour shifts," McCarty wrote on the GoFundMe page.

McCarty was inspired to help Marion after seeing other TikTok users do the same for elderly Walmart employees.

"I just wanted to put something in motion and the lord did the rest," McCarty told FOX 5.

McCarty created the fundraiser on a Monday. Two days later, it hit the $100,000 goal, according to Fox 5.

"Butch, you are so inspiring that I had to be a part of the next phase of your life journey," one donor wrote on GoFundMe. "Thank you to both of you for helping me to take part."

Marion's last day at Walmart was Jan. 4. He left the store with balloons, plenty of hugs, and a check for $108,000.

Marion told Fox 5 he would use the money to pay off bills and take a three-week trip to Florida to see his daughters and grandchildren.

Marion is the third Walmart employee who retired thanks to donations received from social media users, according to Fortune.

Just before Christmas, 82-year-old Carmen Kelly of Arizona was filmed by shopper Elizabeth Rizzo after she saw the older woman working with a cane and unable to sit down due to company rules. TikTok raised more than $135,000 for Kelly.

Video of 81-year-old Walmart employee Nola was shared to TikTok in November by Devan Bonagura, who also set up a GoFundMe page. The original video had more than 30 million views, and more than $186,318 was raised for Nola, Fortune reported.

Meanwhile, McCarty's generosity also cultivated what will likely be a lifelong friendship with Marion, who recently visited the younger man to ride ATVs together.

In a recent video on TikTok, McCarty thanked everyone who made Marion's retirement possible.

"Butch wanted me to thank everyone of you out there that contributed to this miracle that you gave him," McCarty said. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart, he said."

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