William James Burton's Obituary
WILLIAM JAMES BURTON, 90, went to be with his Lord and Savior on June 14, 2009, at Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was born August 20, 1918 in Cleburne, Texas to the late Walter Sydney and Carrie Pridmore Burton.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Sydney Burton, and a sister, Frances Burton Sheffield.
Bill leaves behind a loving family. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary Burton, son William Scot Burton, daughter-in-law Jana Burton and grandchildren Ally Michelle and Andrew James Burton, all of Fayetteville; a niece Carol Ann Russell of Georgetown, Texas and nephew, Robert Sheffield.
Bill grew up in Cleburne, Texas, where he graduated from high school in 1936. He attended the University of Texas at Austin before being recruited to play on the football and baseball teams at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. He graduated from UCA with a degree in mathematics in 1941.
Bill married Mary Tilley of Conway, Arkansas in 1942. He served the next 4 years as the commander of 103 men in Battery C, U.S. Army 384th Field Artillery. His battery fought in Italy and Austria and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. He retired from the military with the rank of Major.
Following the war, Bill was employed for 38 years by the Houston Chronicle Publishing Co. in Houston, Texas, retiring as Treasurer. After his retirement, he and his wife, Mary, moved to Conway, Arkansas where he was active as Treasurer in the Rotary Club, a member of Conway First United Methodist Church and various UCA organizations and booster clubs. In 1999, Bill and Mary moved to The Gardens at Arkanshire in Springdale, AR to be near their son, Scot, and family. They have been members of Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville for the past 10 years.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Thursday, June 18, 2009 in the Chapel of Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville with Reverend J. Anthony Holifield officiating.
A visitation will be held Friday, June 19, 2009 from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at Roller McNutt Funeral Home in Conway, AR. A graveside funeral service will follow at 11:30 AM Friday at Spring Hill Cemetery in Greenbrier, AR.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.
Visitation Date Time Friday, June 18, 2009 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM Visitation Location Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway, Arkansas. A graveside will follow at 11:30 AM Spring Hill Cemetery in Greenbrier, AR Service Date Time 2:00 PM Thursday, June 18, 2009 Service Location In the Chapel of Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville
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