Billy J. Burnett

Billy Joe Burnett, age 81, died in Austin, Texas on Saturday, October 13, 2012. He was born on March 22, 1931 in Highlands, Texas to parents Andrew Oscar Burnett and Sadie Adelia Dunn Burnett. He spent his teenage years in La Grange, Texas, working on the family dairy farm. He married his high school sweetheart, Stella Giese. He played football and ran track at La Grange High School.

Early married years were spent as a Lieutenant in the Army and after the Army he worked on the family dairy farm in Georgetown. They milked the cows, bottled and delivered milk to homes all in the same day. They settled in South Austin around 1961. They have lived in this area over 50 years and in their present home for 40 years. Mr. Burnett spent much of his working career in the uniform rental and dry cleaning businesses. His employers included National Linen, Jack Brown, and Chuck Howley. He was General Manager at Jack Brown’s. He loved his Savior, the United States, country music, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, the Texas Longhorns, the Dallas Cowboys and any ball team his grandchildren played on. He loved to hunt and fish and to take trips with the family.

Billy was a member of several churches. He volunteered in many ways, including church boards, refinishing pews, and telling song directors what songs he wanted to hear (ha ha). He took his three boys, Dale, David and Andy to church and Sunday School.

He is survived by 3 sons: Dale (wife Pattie), David, and Andy (wife Robbie). He is also survived by 7 grandchildren: Matthew, Jacob (wife Danielle), Joshua, Joey, Autumn, Adam, and Billy.

A visitation will be held on Monday, October 15, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home.

A funeral service will be held at Westoak Woods Baptist Church on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. The church is located at 2900 Slaughter Lane, Austin, Texas, 78748. Interment will follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park.

Honoring Mr. Burnett as pallbearers will be his seven grandchildren, Matthew Burnett, Jacob Burnett, Joshua Burnett, Joey Burnett, Autumn Burnett, Adam Burnett and Billy Burnett.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to one of Billy’s favorite charities: Outdoor Christian Ministries, 3300 Elder Hill Rd., Driftwood, Texas, 78619, or by visiting www.ocmtx.org.

A special thanks to Julie Bofonchik and Chris Rodriguez for their dedication and special care for our father Billy.