Billy Rex Burleson

Billy R. Burleson November 29, 1929 - July 12, 2007 Billy Rex Burleson of McGregor passed away Thursday, July 12, 2007 at his residence. Graveside services will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday, July 16, at Oakwood Cemetery with Larry Eoff officiating. Billy was born November 29, 1929 in Abbott, TX, the only child of Merle and Blanche Moseley Burleson. He grew up in rural Hill and McLennan counties and graduated from Bynum High School in 1947, being one of 27 students in the class. In April, 1948, he met his future wife, Lillian Purvis Burleson, one Sunday morning after worship services. The country boy and the city girl were introduced by their mothers, who in past years had been friends and had recently renewed acquaintance at church. After two + years of courtship, they were married on November 11, 1950. As Mr. Burleson had volunteered for the U. S. Air Force in August of 1950, during the Korean War, the Burleson’s first home was in Wichita Falls, while he was stationed at Sheppard AFB and later they lived in Amarillo while Billy was stationed at Amarillo AFB. After Air Force service, the Burlesons returned to the Waco-Temple area where they have lived since 1953. Since 1974, they have resided at Harris Creek. In 1996, the Burlesons were certified by the Texas State Genealogical Society as descendants of early settlers who were in Texas before 1846, and they were presented with Texas First Families certificates. From October 23, 1953, to December 1, 1991, Mr. Burleson was an insurance claims adjustor, the last 28 years with the State Farm Insurance Company. In August 1988, he became a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. He has served as president of Chapter No. 32, Waco and later as registrar and secretary treasurer. He has been active in promoting the American Heritage Program and working with presentation of ROTC medals and certificates in addition to working with the Essay Programs. As a member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas he was currently serving as secretary/treasurer of the George B. Erath Chapter. He has served as president of the Waco Claims Association, 1966-1967, president of the Harris Creek Country Estates Homeowners Association, 1994-1995. After retirement he worked with the “Writing to Read” Computer Program at Midway ISD as a volunteer. Mr. Burleson was baptized into the Body of Christ at the West Church of Christ in 1943. He has served as a Bible Class teacher for High School and Middle School classes and he has served on the Benevolence Committee, Insurance Committee, Visitation Committee and he recently spear-headed an Out-Reach Program of the Home to Home/Heart to Heart Mail-out Program for the Hewitt Church of Christ, where he was an active member. He was faithful to his Creator, the God of Heaven and Earth. He loved his family with boundless devotion. He was loyal to his country, the United States of America. Faith, love and loyalty epitomized the life he lived on earth. Our many friends are recognized with gratitude for their support and encouragement through the years, especially Jack and Pat Adams of Woodway, Bonnie Finstad and her husband, the late Calvin Finstad, also of Woodway, and Don and Charlotte Watkins of Lorena. Thank you to all our wonderful Harris Creek neighbors, especially Ed and Judy Barker, John and Pat Schoen, Mike and Marci Czimskey, and the Allen Cook family, as well as our extended families of Purvis’, Moseley’s and Torrances. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lillian Purvis Burleson; two daughters, Pamela Logan of Hewitt, Patricia Duran and husband, Joe of Temple; two brothers-in-law, Harold Purvis and Charles Purvis of Waco, 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Honorary Pallbearers, Dr. Eric Rahut, Darrell York, Bill Akins, Bobby Webb, Jack Adams, Don Watkins, Charles Moseley, George Brown, and Burns Holt. The family wishes to express their gratitude to Dr. Gregg Goebel, Dr. Christopher Grant and to Jennifer Dutschmann and Sharon Davis of Texas Home Health Hospice. Memorials may be made to In Search of the Lords Way, P.O. Box 371, Edmond, OK 73083-9901 or the charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com