He was born on August 3, 1945 in Winters, Texas to the late H.M. Burleson and Jouventia Gray Burleson.
On May 28, 1982 he married Lea Ann Burks in Potosi, Texas. Mr. Burleson served his country in the U.S. Army and worked as a sign painter in Abilene for 40 years.
He is survived by his wife, Lea Ann Burleson of Abilene; children, Staci and Zack Young of Surprise, AZ, Denise Shelton of Abilene, Kimberly and Eddie Carlile of Abilene, Chris and RaDonna Burleson of Cisco, Clayton Burleson of Abilene, Dusty and Toni Burleson of Tuscola, Sarah and Cody Lenz of Clyde and Captain and Beth Burleson of Abilene, 18 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. Brother James “Peanut” Burleson and sister Ann Harris and Ru Jones.
He was preceded in death by a son, “Jay” Wilson Henry Burleson, Jr., a grandson, Joshua Tyler Smith and four sisters, Patsy Burleson Jones, Micki Burleson Hartly, Su Burleson Lambkin and Jan Burleson Loper.
A visitation will be on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home in Abilene. On Thursday, December 29, 2022 there will be a family lunch at 11:30 AM, at The Well, 137 Mesquite St, Abilene, TX, and funeral services will follow, at 2:00 PM, at the Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel with Marci Grunn officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Dudley Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers will be Cameron Burleson, Kyler Burleson, Caden Burleson, Trent Jonsef, Devon Carlile and Aaron Cato. Honorary pallbearers will be T.J. Lenz, Connor Burleson and Carter Burleson.
