82-yr-old Walmart employee couldn't retire as he didn't have money to pay bills—so stranger moved over $100K into his account

Retirement is a luxury that many can't afford. These people are forced to work till they manage to secure their last few days by keeping a roof over their heads and food on their tables. 82-year-old Butch Marion, a former Navy veteran, had been working since he was 11, reported PEOPLE. In his 80s, he had no other option but to continue working at a Walmart in Maryland to make ends meet. However, one kind fellow came forward to make sure the veteran could peacefully retire and enjoy his years ahead without worrying about his bills and necessities. 

A generous stranger named Rory McCarty, who goes by @bug_boys on TikTok, uploaded a video on his page, capturing Marion when he was on duty. McCarty had gone to a local Walmart where he first met Marion, a month before officially helping him retire. Then McCarty came across a video on the internet where a woman named Elizabeth Rizzo from Arizona was trying to raise money to support another elderly woman named Carmen Kelly. Rizzo helped raise over $135,000 for that lady and it inspired McCarty to help out Marion in a similar way. "Now imagine that someone raised that kind of money for you!" McCarty talked to Marion in his TikTok video.

So, he opened a GoFundMe page for Marion and donations started pouring in as soon as the page was set up. By December 2023, more than $115,000 was donated to help Marion retire from his tiring job. When McCarty went back to inform Marion about the kindness and monetary support he had received from strangers, the veteran couldn't believe it. "This is real? How did I get so lucky?" Marion wondered. When Marion was asked about his plans with the funds, the veteran said that he would visit his children and do some repair work around his house. He also expressed his wish to use some of the money to enjoy life. 

"I feel like a new man," the former retail worker told WTTG, per PEOPLE. "This is just unreal." McCarty and Marion ended up becoming great friends after that and also met Rizzo for a meal. "I saw her video, and that's what triggered me to do your video," McCarty told Marion in a separate video. "So without her, all this couldn't be possible." McCarty also shared a bunch of photos from their lovely meeting. In a follow-up video, Marion's final day at Walmart was celebrated by his co-workers. "Butch wanted me to thank every one of you out there that contributed to this miracle that you gave him," McCarty wrote in the video's caption. "I'm just so excited for him," he told the news outlet.

The people in his comments section cheered for the good deed and wished Marion a peaceful life ahead. @aalpizarwynn commented, "Just discovered this. Thank you and everyone who donated for being so kind to the elderly! We need more people like you." @toastyfawn566 joked, "A guy at my local grocery store, he's over 90 years old and still works, not because he can't retire but because he's bored, found out he's a millionaire." @shinto.wav wrote, "His entire life savings isn’t enough to buy a house today even if he worked his entire life." @matttrexler2 added, "He works at Walmart near me. He’s the best and always sweet to my family and my kids love him. Melts my heart. So deserving. God bless."

You can follow Rory McCarty (@bug_boys) on TikTok for more videos on lifestyle.