He was born on October 6, 1928 in Cleburne, Texas, and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. He graduated from Polytechnic High School in 1947. Bill played guard on the 1945 and 1946 Polytechnic football teams, making All-District in 1946.
After graduation from high school, Bill won the Texas Amateur Athletic Association’s state middleweight boxing championship in the Summer of 1947. He attended Hardin Simmons University for three years on a boxing scholarship and fought for the Golden Gloves' state middleweight championship two years in a row.
With a year of athletic eligibility remaining, Bill moved back to Fort Worth and graduated from Texas Christian University in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business.
Shortly after graduation from TCU, Bill was called to active military duty in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He served aboard the U.S.S. Hank, DD 702 (Destroyer) as a Supply and Disbursement Officer for two years.
On January 1, 1952, Bill married JoAnn Morgan and had two sons, Bryan and Morgan.
During his life, Bill worked for Standard Oil Company, ran his own business known as Burkhart Manufacturing Company, and worked for Southwestern Bell Yellow Pages from which he retired in 1992.
Always a strong believer in education and public service, Bill served two terms as a Trustee on the School Board of the Birdville Independent School District during the 1970s, also sitting as President for a portion of this time.
Since retiring, Bill remained an avid golfer (former president of Glen Garden Country Club) and frequent traveler, going to places such as Florida, New Mexico, and California, not to mention numerous trips to the Rio Grande Valley, his “home away from home”.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Jo Ann Burkhart.
Bill is survived by his sons, Bryan Burkhart of Bedford, Texas and Morgan Burkhart (spouse: Reba Rene') of North Richland Hills, Texas, granddaughters, Courtney Michelle Burkhart, Lindsay Rose Burkhart, Natalie Jo Burkhart, Adrienne Rene' Burkhart and Olivia Beth Burkhart.
SERVICES: A Graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on January 18, 2019 at Bluebonnet Hills, Colleyville, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to a charity of your choice.
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