Psalms 37:25 I have been young, and now I am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging bread.
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William (also known as Lil Willie, Willie, and Bill) passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, March 17, 2017 after a brief illness. He was born in Portsmouth, Virginia on February 5, 1923 to Elenora Lee and William Thomas Burnette Sr. He graduated from I.C. Norcom High School, and received a Bachelor’s of Science in Industrial Education and Military Justice from Virginia State University. While at Virginia State, he was on the Varsity Wrestling team, pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and enrolled in Reserve Officers Training Corps. After graduation and commissioning, he was assigned to Fort Lee, VA, and met the love of his life Juanita Phyllis Ann Harrison. They joined in marriage in April 1953, and in January 1957 they enjoyed the birth their only child Victor Wayne Burnette. William remained a faithful and committed husband for 63 years.
William faithfully served his country as an Army Infantryman during World War II in the Pacific, and later entered service as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1952 as a Quartermaster Officer. His military service includes World War II, Korean War and the Vietnam War. An Airborne Trooper and Jump Master, he served and deployed with Airborne units while assigned in Germany and the United States. Upon his retirement from the Army in 1970, he settled his family in Willingboro, NJ where he taught small engine and auto mechanics for 17 years at John F. Kennedy High School.
He loved the Lord and gave his life to Christ as a young man. He served faithfully at Parkway Baptist Church as a Trustee in Willingboro, NJ and taught Sunday School at Southside Baptist Church in Lumberton NJ. After moving to Northern Virginia to be closer to family, he joined The Life under the leadership of Bishop Eugene Reeves in Woodbridge, VA.
William loved to travel and drive back and forth to Portsmouth visiting family and longtime childhood and military friends (…something he called pop up calls). His family adored him and he said that he loved them more. He was an exceptional husband, father, father-in-law, brother-in-law, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend. His grandchildren called him Pop-Pop. As a father, he taught his son to work hard, to be a warm and a gentle spirited man, and to be responsible and accountable to his family. He spoiled his nieces, nephews, and his granddaughters and always had a few $2.00 bills on hand to give out. He enjoyed reading the Bible and Zane Gray Western novels. He was happiest when he was surrounded by family, friends and meeting new people but was especially happy at big family dinners during the holidays.
He is survived by his loving wife Juanita (Kitty) Burnette, his son LTC (Retired) Victor W. Burnette, daughter-in-law Jackie, and grandchildren Alexis, Brooke and Victoria, and great-granddaughter Naiomi; sister Mildred Harrington, sister-in-laws Shirley Jones (George), Arlene Gales, and Beatrice Harrison; and a host of nieces, nephews, and dear friends that considered him family.
