William E Burke

He was born on January 12, 1943, at General Hospital in North Kansas City, the son of Donald Francis and Neva Faye (Foley) Burke. Bill graduated from North Kansas City High School with the Class of 1961 and married Jacqueline Southard in 1962, this union was blessed with two sons, Scott and Mike. They later divorced. He then married Elisabeth Mittring in 1976 until her death in 2020.

Bill joined the United States Air Force in 1962 to 1966 and joined the United States Army from 1967 to 1984, serving two tours in Vietnam with the First Cavalry Division and First Infantry Division. Bill was as aviation enthusiast. He held a commercial license and was a flight instructor. He flew from 1970 to 2003. The boys have fond memories of flying from Kansas City to Iola several times. When Bill retired from the service, he then was a truck driver from 1984 to 2005, until his retirement. Bill and Liz often took trips to Germany to visit her family.

He was a member of the McMurray United Methodist Church in Gladstone. Bill enjoyed volunteering his time at the voting polls.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Elisabeth Burke; one brother, Thomas Burke; and one grandson, Benjamin Burke.

Bill is survived by his two sons, Scott Burke and wife Gina of Newton, Kansas; Mike Burke and Shelly of Piqua, Kansas; six grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; one brother, John Burke and wife Sandy of Henderson, Nevada; and one sister-in-law, LouAnn Burke Riser of Liberty, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, on Friday, June 30, 2023, at White Chapel Funeral Home at 6600 NE Antioch, Gladstone, MO 64119.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dwnwhitechapel.com for the Burke family.