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William Glenn ”Bill” Burks
05/30/1931 — 10/31/2005
From Kennewick, WA, US | Born in Wellsville, Missouri
William Glenn ”Bill” Burks
William Glenn Burks B-I-L-L Bill
Bill, our Husband, Father, Brother and Grandfather, made the journey to Heaven on Monday, October 31, 2005. He was born on Memorial Day, May 30, 1931, making him 74 years young at his passing.
So much more than just Brother Bill, a treasured part of the Burks extended family, he was a mentor and a role model to everyone he knew. Always available when anyone needed a hand, he was hard working and yet cheerfully took time for the playful comic in his heart. When he wasnt working in his orchard, or sharing time with family and close friends, he could be found fishing, bowling, playing with his horses or traveling to visit his four precious Granddaughters.
He was originally from Missouri and Illinois, but had resided in the Tri-Cities since 1954. He was a proud Veteran of the Korean War and also spent many years serving the Tri-Cities and Moses Lake as an Auto Mechanic before later becoming an Apple Grower.
He joined his brother Don Burks and mother Edith Burks in Heaven. He was survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Shirley Burks; daughter and son-in-law Ann and Chad Blackburn; granddaughters Miranda, Shelby, Belanna and Valerie Blackburn; brothers and sisters-in-law Bob and Barbara Burks, Leo and Delores Burks, Frank and Sharon Burks, Russell Burks, and Walter and Judy Burks; 19 nieces and nephews; 28 great-nieces and nephews; six great-great-nieces and nephews.
We all cherished him and knew he loved us equally as much. He will be missed but forever in our hearts.
Funeral services are to be held at Einans Funeral Home in Richland, WA at 1:00 PM Friday, November 4, 2005. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5:00-8:00 PM, and again on Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Bills honor to one of the following charities: The American Heart Association, The American Cancer Society, or The American Diabetes Association.
Grandpa,
It’s been nearly 20 years since you passed, but you are still missed dearly. Your life was full of love and care for everyone around you, and to this day my sisters and I still tell stories about playing at your home, sledding in the orchard, feeding the horses, fishing in your pond, and getting to ride the tractor with you.
You always had a soft spot in your heart for us, much to Grandma’s chagrin. There was always a joke on your tongue and a way you could make anyone laugh or talk with you for hours. It only makes sense that the day you left us was Halloween, as if your jovial spirit was simply needed elsewhere.
See you later, alligator.
I cannot put into words how I am feeling now,or how all of the Burks’ family is feeling. Bill was a mentor to me. He will always be in my heart. To all of you my heart and prayers will be with you also.
Bill, You always had a smile on your face. It seems just like yesterday that you were poking your little head in the office @ Burks Bros Conoco and asking: “How is our little Mary today”? I have so many fond memories of those times, you will be greatly missed. Your family was so fortunate to have you in their lives. Love, Mary & Frank Lamb
I will always remember Uncle Bill and have a special place in my heart for him. I remember as a young child, going to his business in Pasco and having him scare me out of my wits with that “Mongoose” in the wood and metal cage. No matter how many times I saw it, I always fell for that trick! To all of the family, you are in my thoughts and my heart. I will miss Uncle Bill so much.
Love,
Kelli
Uncle Bill,
Thank you for the times you shared with me, Lorrie, and the kids. We miss you, but we will see you again in the blink of an eye. Thank you for passing on your sense of humor to the “clan” and sharing your life stories with us. We love you, Rest in God’s comforting love until we meet again.
Noseedus,
Jimmy
Uncle Bill,
There aren’t enough words in the dictionary to describe how much I will miss you. You were not only a fantastic uncle, but you were one of my best buddies. I will miss your jokes, stories, and downright goofy sense of humor. I will also miss the hydromatic handshakes “no clutch”, your Donald Duck talk, your train imitation, and much more. You were, are, and always will be a huge inspiration in my life. Thank you “Chief.” I LOVE YOU AND GOD BE WITH YOU! See you again down the road.
I had the absolute privilege to meet Mr. Burks in his time of need. He truly touched my heart, and I will never forget him. I am so glad I was able to be there. Best wishes to the Burks family. May God be with you always!
Shirley: I did not know your husband but,you have my deepest sympathy. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We all miss you at work!
Don Anderson
Fred Meyer meat department
Bill, my brother and friend; you will be missed by Dolores and me. We will never forget the good times and the bad times; the many trips we had together; the apples and cherries you brought me and my family. We will always think of the coffee you brought to us on your way to your doctor visits. Bill, you really didn’t really let us know how bad you were, but we know now.
I wish we could have said more to you, but we have our thoughts and memories and will never forget you.
God speed on your way to Mom and Don and tell them hello. Love Leo and “Delirious”.
Uncle Bill had a way of making people laugh. Whether it was his made-up nonsense words, his silly nicknames for people like ‘Lysol’, or his quirky mannerisms that we all grew to love, he brought a sense of humor to every situation.
I could look at Uncle Bill across the room, catch his eye, and he would make a funny gesture or utter a silly noise – that was just Uncle Bill.
He LOVED to talk, and you could always count on Uncle Bill to make noise, even if it was just to hear his own voice. In the most serious of situations, he managed to crack a joke or say something silly to lighten the moment.
I remember working in his orchard with him and he would get on the top of the ladder and shout at the top of his lungs for all the world to hear. Usually it was a silly word like ‘seedus’ that made no sense, but that was Uncle Bill – full of life, full of laughter, and full of love.
I will miss you, Uncle Bill, and hope that you will conitnue to make me laugh as you have so many times.
Love, Julie
I cannot put into words how I am feeling now,or how all of the Burks’ family is feeling. Bill was a mentor to me. He will always be in my heart. To all of you my heart and prayers will be with you also.
Bill, You always had a smile on your face. It seems just like yesterday that you were poking your little head in the office @ Burks Bros Conoco and asking: “How is our little Mary today”? I have so many fond memories of those times, you will be greatly missed. Your family was so fortunate to have you in their lives. Love, Mary & Frank Lamb
I will always remember Uncle Bill and have a special place in my heart for him. I remember as a young child, going to his business in Pasco and having him scare me out of my wits with that “Mongoose” in the wood and metal cage. No matter how many times I saw it, I always fell for that trick! To all of the family, you are in my thoughts and my heart. I will miss Uncle Bill so much.
Love,
Kelli
Uncle Bill,
Thank you for the times you shared with me, Lorrie, and the kids. We miss you, but we will see you again in the blink of an eye. Thank you for passing on your sense of humor to the “clan” and sharing your life stories with us. We love you, Rest in God’s comforting love until we meet again.
Noseedus,
Jimmy
Uncle Bill,
There aren’t enough words in the dictionary to describe how much I will miss you. You were not only a fantastic uncle, but you were one of my best buddies. I will miss your jokes, stories, and downright goofy sense of humor. I will also miss the hydromatic handshakes “no clutch”, your Donald Duck talk, your train imitation, and much more. You were, are, and always will be a huge inspiration in my life. Thank you “Chief.” I LOVE YOU AND GOD BE WITH YOU! See you again down the road.
I had the absolute privilege to meet Mr. Burks in his time of need. He truly touched my heart, and I will never forget him. I am so glad I was able to be there. Best wishes to the Burks family. May God be with you always!
Shirley: I did not know your husband but,you have my deepest sympathy. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We all miss you at work!
Don Anderson
Fred Meyer meat department
Bill, my brother and friend; you will be missed by Dolores and me. We will never forget the good times and the bad times; the many trips we had together; the apples and cherries you brought me and my family. We will always think of the coffee you brought to us on your way to your doctor visits. Bill, you really didn’t really let us know how bad you were, but we know now.
I wish we could have said more to you, but we have our thoughts and memories and will never forget you.
God speed on your way to Mom and Don and tell them hello. Love Leo and “Delirious”.
Uncle Bill had a way of making people laugh. Whether it was his made-up nonsense words, his silly nicknames for people like ‘Lysol’, or his quirky mannerisms that we all grew to love, he brought a sense of humor to every situation.
I could look at Uncle Bill across the room, catch his eye, and he would make a funny gesture or utter a silly noise – that was just Uncle Bill.
He LOVED to talk, and you could always count on Uncle Bill to make noise, even if it was just to hear his own voice. In the most serious of situations, he managed to crack a joke or say something silly to lighten the moment.
I remember working in his orchard with him and he would get on the top of the ladder and shout at the top of his lungs for all the world to hear. Usually it was a silly word like ‘seedus’ that made no sense, but that was Uncle Bill – full of life, full of laughter, and full of love.
I will miss you, Uncle Bill, and hope that you will conitnue to make me laugh as you have so many times.
Love, Julie
I was a schoolmate of Bill’s when the family attended school in Ipava, Illinois. Russell was in my class.
I extend my deepest sympathies to the family.
VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOST
Bill will be greatly missed and will remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Words fail to describe what the Burks family means to me. Thank you for making us part of the family. When God calls home one of his children, we here always have a heavy heart. Our prayers go to the family. This separation is only temporary for we can all look forward to being togather someday in God’s Arms. I will miss the bright smile and humor. I even miss planting Apple trees on the side of a hill. With the drink coolers in the pickup at the top of the hill. And who can forget “the mongoose”. Bill you will be missed. By the amount of love and joy you brought into this world, you are returning to Heaven with Honor. Love, Kevin,Diane and Family.
Uncle Bill may have aged over the years, as we all do, but he never seemed to grow old…
He was always young at heart, and had a youthful enthusiasm and zest for life. His fun-loving attitude was contagious and made him so much fun to be around. Just like Grandma Burks, he could make me laugh with simply a glance across a room — because there was a certain mischievous twinkle in his eye. Plus, I knew a zany gesture or silly cat’s meow were soon to follow!
I will always remember fishing/camping at O’ Sullivan; trips to WSU and Seattle; dinners out at HIS favorite restaurants; and the endless supply of apples that I sometimes took for granted, yet now cherish. I will never forget the time he drove through a blizzard to Pullman so that I could be home for Thanksgiving, or the summers Julie and I spent thinning apples with Ann and Aunt Shirley. We had so much fun that it didn’t seem right we also got paid! I think Uncle Bill enjoyed lunch breaks for grilled cheese sandwiches and “Days of Our Lives” as much as we did. “Cut the apples, but don’t cut any off” — right, Uncle Bill?!
I loved him more than I can say, and I knew he loved me. He had a heart of gold, and had truly mastered the concept of not taking oneself too seriously. I hope I learn to do the same. I miss you so much, Uncle Bill, Uncle Bill, Uncle Bill. Love, “Lysol”
We were so sad hear of Bill’s passing. He was truly one of our favorite patients. His sense of humor, easy smile and friendly personality will be missed by us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with all Bill’s family at this difficult time. We so enjoyed his boyish spirit and his gifts of cherries and apples at harvest time. We count ourselves blessed to have known him.
With our deepest sympathy,
Dr. Ramesh, Mary, and Alicia
Our deepest sympathy to Ann and family. All our love to you! May Bill’s smile always reside in your hearts!
TO OUR DEAR SWEET FRIEND SHIRLEY, OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU TODAY AND ALWAY’S. YOU WILL FOREVER BE IN OUR HEART’S. WE LOVE YOU…
Shirley,Ann,Chad and girls
We extend our sympathies as
we know what Bill meant to you. He is gone but will never be forgotten by any of
us. The Bill stories will
keep us laughing and keep him
close to our hearts forever.
He was a wonderful brother,
brother-in-law and we grieve
with you for him.
Love to you Sharon & Frank
Guestbook for
William Glenn ”Bill” Burks