Tennessee Aquarium volunteer honored with proclamation from Gov. Bill Haslam

Tennessee Aquarium docent Bill Sesko, right, tells visitors about the attraction's Sturgeon Encounter. Sesko was recently recognized by Governor Bill Haslam for his contribution to tourism. Tennessee Aquarium docent Bill Sesko, right, tells visitors about the attraction's Sturgeon Encounter. Sesko was recently recognized by Governor Bill Haslam for his contribution to tourism.

By Kimberly Sebring June 18, 2016 3 min read

“Butterfly” Bill Sesko, a volunteer docent at the Tennessee Aquarium, had butterflies in his stomach as he was honored Wednesday by the governor.

“What a surprise! It happened over in the docent room, and everybody broke into applause and I almost passed out,” Sesko said with a chuckle.

The proclamation from Gov. Bill Haslam states: “By Bill Haslam, Governor of Tennessee, on behalf of the people of Tennessee. By virtue of the authority vested in me, I hereby confer upon William C. Sesko ‘The Butterfly Man’ A Day of Recognition.”

Sesko, who will turn 83 in August, has volunteered at the aquarium since 2004. He believes the recognition stemmed from a “glowing report” a guest submitted last year.

“She mentioned that she was deeply impressed with me and the Butterfly Garden because I put a butterfly on her daughter’s finger and explained the difference between a butterfly and a moth,” he said. “She [described] a gentleman in the butterfly garden in his 60s, so I wrote her a letter and told her I really appreciated her glowing report on me – and the fact that she thought I was in my 60s!”