Former Butler Tech administrator, food truck owner dies after cancer battle

COUNTS HE FACES. HE IS DUE BACK IN COURT NEXT WEEK. WE DO HAVE SOME SAD NEWS TO PASS ALONG TONIGHT. FORMER BUTLER TECH ADMINISTRATOR AND FOOD TRUCK OWNER LEE CORDER HAS DIED. HE OPERATED THE C.W. BARBECUE FOOD TRUCK, AND WE’VE SHARED CORDER STORY OVER THE LAST YEAR. HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH STAGE FOUR CARCINOMA. AND DURING HIS BATTLE, HE CREATED A FUNDRAISER TO FORM A $100,000 CULINARY ARTS SCHOLARSHIP FOR STUDENTS AT BUTL

Updated: 7:10 PM EST Feb 6, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

A former Butler Tech administrator and food truck owner who helped create a scholarship for culinary students has died.Lee Corder operated the CW BBQ food truck and has spoken with WLWT multiple times in the last year.Corder spent 18 years working at Butler Tech, most recently serving as the district’s director of secondary education. Known for his passion for teaching and cooking, Corder launched the Lee Corder Culinary Scholarship after being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.In just a few months, donations from friends, former colleagues, students and complete strangers pushed the scholarship fund past $100,000. That milestone allows the scholarship to award $5,000 annually, in perpetuity.The scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors across Butler County, with preference given to Butler Tech students. Recipients are not required to attend Butler Tech after receiving the award, and the scholarship can be used toward culinary education or training at the school or program of the student’s choice.Organizers said the scholarship fund will continue accepting donations, and any additional money raised will go directly toward increasing the annual award amount or expanding future scholarships. Information on how to donate can be found here.

FAIRFIELD, Ohio —

A former Butler Tech administrator and food truck owner who helped create a scholarship for culinary students has died.

Lee Corder operated the CW BBQ food truck and has spoken with WLWT multiple times in the last year.

Corder spent 18 years working at Butler Tech, most recently serving as the district’s director of secondary education. Known for his passion for teaching and cooking, Corder launched the Lee Corder Culinary Scholarship after being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

In just a few months, donations from friends, former colleagues, students and complete strangers pushed the scholarship fund past $100,000. That milestone allows the scholarship to award $5,000 annually, in perpetuity.

The scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors across Butler County, with preference given to Butler Tech students. Recipients are not required to attend Butler Tech after receiving the award, and the scholarship can be used toward culinary education or training at the school or program of the student’s choice.

Organizers said the scholarship fund will continue accepting donations, and any additional money raised will go directly toward increasing the annual award amount or expanding future scholarships. Information on how to donate can be found here.