Obituaries

William Burton (vet

Photo of William Burton (vet
William George Burton, 80, of Jefferson City, passed away Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. He was born December 29, 1929, in Long Island City, New York, a son of the late William and Elsie (Whalen) Burton. He was a 1947 graduate of Newburgh Academy in Newburgh, New York. On January 26, 1952, he was united in marriage in St. Louis, to Martha Coward, who preceded him in death on May 27, 1984. He owned and operated General Equipment Company, then was Plant Manager at ISIS Chemical Company in Jefferson City. He was a veteran of the United States Army and served during the Korean Conflict. He was a longtime member and volunteer at the Disabled American Veterans, where he had served as their Secretary Treasurer. For more than thirty years, Mr. Burton helped call Bingo every Friday night at the D.A.V. and volunteered thousands of hours over those years assisting disabled veterans in Columbia at the Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital. He was a member and past President of the American Legion; member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Elks Lodge, and the Optimist Club. He was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he had served as a Deacon for several years. Mr. Burton was an avid sports enthusiast, boxed Golden Glove, and played semi-pro baseball. He loved spending time with his family and friends, and especially enjoyed going to his grandchildren's sporting events. He is survived by a son: William E. "Bill" Burton (wife Kelly) of Jefferson City; two daughters: Linda Clark of Houston, Texas, and Barbara "Bobbie" Prenger of Vidalia, Georgia; two sisters: Marge Nelbach of New Windsor, New York, and Doris Mulberger (husband Bill) of State College, Pennsylvania; six grandchildren: Chris Neiman, Brian Clark, Kyle Prenger, Lindsay Burton, Garrett Burton, and Spencer Burton; three great-grandchildren: Everett Clark, Ashlyn Clark, Alex Neiman; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister: Florence Welch; and a longtime companion: Solace Simpson. Friends will be received from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 21, at the Houser-Millard Funeral Home, where funeral services and full military honors will follow at 4:00 p.m. with Rev. Murl Nash officiating. Interment will be held at 12:00 noon on Monday, March 22, at Maple Park Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Disabled American Veterans or the charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, 636-3838. Online condolences may be left for the family at millardfamilychapels.com.

Published March 21, 2010