Bill Burch

Billy Morgan “Bill” Burch, age 78, of Sikeston, passed away Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at his home. He was born October 31, 1935, in Matthews, to the late Ardie Morgan and Billie Montgomery Burch. In 1977, he founded Burch Food Services, and at the time of his death was chairman of the board. He also served in the Naval Reserve from 1953-1962, and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Sikeston.

Burch became a member of the Sikeston Jaycees in 1961, also serving as local president, and 1964 rodeo chairman. He served as district vice president of the Missouri Jaycees, national director of the U.S. Jaycees and senator for Jaycee International. He received the Jaycee Distinguished Service Award in 1969, which was their highest honor.

He served two three-year terms on the Sikeston City Council, beginning in 1983, and then by being re-elected in 1986, serving as Sikeston’s mayor twice during those terms. He was a charter member of the newly developed Sikeston Development Council, which was created in 1986. Later, in 1988, he was named Man of the Year by the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce.

He was a chairman of the Scott County Democratic Party, becoming a member of the National Democratic Party’s Rules Committee in 1984.

Burch received the Outstanding Alumni Award from his alma mater, Southeast Missouri State University, where he had been a member of the Copper Dome Society and SEMO’s Agriculture Club.

Following his graduation from SEMO in 1957, he accepted a position with Sikeston Production Credit Association, and then in 1964, he became a manager for Coca-Cola.

In 1973, he accepted a management position with Dale Vendors, purchasing the company in 1977, which resulted in the founding of Burch Food Services.

Burch was a four-term president of the Missouri Automatic Merchandising Association. He served as chairman of the National Automatic Merchandising Association. He was also chairman of the National Antique Tractor Pullers Association, was an accomplished pilot and was involved in farming.

He was a member of the Cerebral Palsy Board, and was the organizer and chairman of the Kenny Rogers Cerebral Palsy Charity Walk in 1980. He also was a regular contributor to the Sikeston Area Food Bank.

He was a past board member of the SACC, past president and member of the Sikeston Lions Club, member of the Sikeston Little Theatre, and had been involved in Scouting.

On November 22, 1978, in Sikeston, he married Suzanne Bowling, who survives of the home.

In addition to his wife, survivors include: one son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Tammy Burch of Sikeston; one daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Rob Newman of Sikeston; and one brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Chris Burch of Cape Girardeau. Also surviving are three grandchildren, David Morgan Burch of Sikeston, Justin and Courtney Newman of Murray, Ky., and Austin and Jordi Newman of Sikeston; and five great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Rebecca Reeves; and one brother, Cecil Burch.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, at the First Baptist Church in Sikeston, where funeral services will follow at 12 noon with Rev. David Ross, pastor, officiating.

Burial will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston, under the direction of Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

Pallbearers will be Drew Juden, Tim Merideth, Brian Menz, Blair Moran, Bill Ferrell, Rick Adams, Rick Young and Glenn Pinkerton.

Honorary pallbearers will be C.H. Parsons, Bob Patterson, John Harper, Terry Sanders, David Friedman, Lyle Proffer Bird, Bruce Eby, Roland Drum, Jimmy Harnes, Mike Bohannon and DeWayne Lorenz.

Online condolences may be shared at: www.nunneleefuneralchapel.com.

The family requests memorial contributions to be made to:

First Baptist Church of Sikeston

1101 N. Main

Sikeston, MO 63801

OR

Missouri Delta Medical Center Foundation

1008 N. Main

Sikeston, MO 63801