The son of Willard F. and Dolly Kendall Burgess, Bill was born May 27, 1926, in Louisville, Kentucky. As a 1943 ½ graduate of DuPont Manual High School, Bill made it a point to graduate early to enlist in the Navy and pursue Naval Flight Training at Bowling Green University. He earned his wings in the spring of 1947.
During his time in the Naval Air Corps, Bill was a member of Attack Squadron 134, stationed in San Diego, CA, the Fleet Air Electronics Training Unit-Pacific, stationed at Ream Field NAAS in San Ysidro, CA, and Operational Flight Training NAS in Jacksonville, FL.
Throughout his military career, Bill could be found piloting the P-3 Orion, a four-engine turboprop anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft, among others. The Orion, specifically, is easily recognizable by its distinctive tail stinger, or “MAD Boom” used for the magnetic detection of submarines. He would often bring aircraft from Jacksonville NAS to MacDill Airforce Base in Tampa, where his squadron of local Southwest Florida businessmen reservists would exercise submarine tracking maneuvers out over the Gulf of Mexico.
Perhaps Bill was most proud of his aircraft carrier pilot stripes which designated him as a pilot certified for aircraft carrier take-off and tail-hook landings.
Retiring with the rank of Commander, Bill was very proud of his military service as a Navy Pilot. He logged literally thousands of hours of flight time, during his years in the Navy, and afterward found a way to maintain his flight requirements while buzzing tourists along McGregor Boulevard as one of the early morning DC3 Pilots for the Lee County Mosquito Control. He could also be found at Page Field, flying with local pilots throughout the years, allowing them the opportunity to gain valuable hours toward qualifying for their own instrument ratings.
As Bill transitioned to the Naval Active Reserves, he attended The University of Florida on the GI Bill. He graduated in 1954 with a bachelor’s degree in architecture, laying a path for what would become a long tenured career with Florida Steel Corporation. As a “Life Loyal” member of Sigma Chi (Gamma Theta Chapter at UF), his young bride paid his lifetime dues as a graduation gift, which he has certainly cherished for all these many years.
On August 31, 1952, Bill married the love of his life, Marian, who he met while both were serving in the Navy. They shared 37 years together before her untimely death in 1989. Bill and Marian had three children together, with the birth of their daughter Barbara Candis, followed by Brian Kendall, and Blaine Aaron.
Starting his career with Florida Steel in Jacksonville, Florida, Bill was stationed at Jacksonville Naval Air Station as a reservist and was transferred to their Tampa office in 1960. While in Tampa, Bill served his community in many ways.
He was a founding member and past president of the Tampa Sports Club, which was instrumental in obtaining an NFL franchise to be awarded to the city of Tampa, following the merger of the NFL and AFL leagues. Ultimately named the Buccaneers, Bill was a lifelong fan, suffering through many lean years while finally relishing the Buc’s two Super Bowl victories. Bill and Marian were also founding members of The Krewe of Venus, as part of the city’s annual Gasparilla Festival and were communicants of Saint John’s Episcopal Church and supporters of the Parish Day School.
In 1967, Bill was transferred to Fort Myers as Regional Manager of Florida Steel. This followed several years of commuting between Tampa and Fort Myers as the Lee County Steel Fabricating Plant was developed and completed. Much of the construction in Fort Myers and throughout the state was completed with Florida Steel. While with Florida Steel, Bill was among his contemporaries who helped develop and build the Fort Myers we know today. He was the first president of the Lee County Contractors Association, which later became known as the Five County Contractors Association. He also served for 10 years as a member of the Lee Country Industrial Development Authority during a time of significant growth for the area. He was a Past President of the Downtown Rotary Club and maintained his membership throughout his final years. He served as Senior and Junior Warden for Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church where he would also serve as a member of the building committee, and at the altar as Master of Ceremonies and Lay reader. As a member of the Boy Scouts of America, he was awarded the Silver Beaver medal while instrumental in helping to reorganize and maintain status for Troop #1 at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church. He also served on the Board of The Canterbury School while their College Parkway campus was being built. Bill was also a member of The Royal Palm Yacht Club for many years, serving on the steering committee, the board, and as Vice Commodore.
Bill loved boating and fishing out on the waters of Sanibel/Captiva, Boca Grande, and Pine Island Sound. While he did successfully boat several fish, he was also known for feeding many pounds of quality shrimp to a wide variety of sea life who were appreciative of his contribution. On those not-so-lucky days he was never one to shy away from a Cheeseburger or Grouper Sandwich at Cabbage Key or Timmy’s Nook, creating many great memories for his kids. It wasn’t always shrimp that Bill provided as sustenance for the varied marine life of Southwest Florida. There is a fond memory on the water in the Chino area of Pine Island Sound, of Bill carefully lowering a beautiful, prized Cobia he had caught over the side of the boat, on a stringer. When it was time to head in, he could be found pulling in only the head, still attached to the stringer. His son, always the critical thinker, reminded him that “we were shark fishing after all!”.
Bill is predeceased by his wife, Marian (Drozdowicz) Burgess, his parents Willard and Dolly (Kendall) Burgess, and his sister Donna. He is survived by his daughter, The Reverend Barbara Candis Burgess of Monroe, North Carolina, his sons, The Right Reverend Brian Kendall Burgess, Bishop of Springfield, in Central and Southern Illinois (Denise), and Blaine Aaron Burgess (Cindra Kay) of Little Rock, Arkansas. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Robert and Catherine Burgess and Alec, Evan and Camryn Burgess, and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to sincerely thank the amazing staff at Cypress Cove, especially within The Cottages, for taking such good care of “The Captain” (as they affectionately referred to him) for the past fifteen years. Most notably, Alison Brown, Dorette, Veronica, Maria, Ruth, Lily, Kristin, Jackie, Rainne, Lunique, Danielle, the Security personnel, Culinary team and entire professional staff within the Cottages and Cypress Cove. His bartender Sammy, at the Cove’s restaurant, should also be noted, as he always had Bill’s special bottle of Jack Daniels behind the bar, ready to pour his “Black Jack, Neat” with a side of water. All who make up this team should be proud of the quality of care and hospitality provided for the residents of “The Cove”.
A solemn Requiem Mass will be held in Bill’s memory, and to the glory of God, Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at 5:00 PM, at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church, 2635 Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers, FL. Interment with Naval Honors will follow in St. Joseph’s Garden within the St. Luke’s campus.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in Bill’s name for the benefit of the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Altar Guild in Fort Myers, Florida.
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