William G. Burden

William G. Burden went to be with The Lord on Friday, September 25, 2009, surrounded by his wife and family. Bill was born on February 13, 1925 in Grapeland, Texas and was predeceased by his parents, Nodie and Lee Andrew Burden, and his brothers, Olan and Melvyn Burden, and sister Hazel Tyer. He is survived by his sister, Opal Keen of Crockett, Texas. After graduating from Grapeland High School in 1942, Bill enlisted in the Army, where he served as an Army Air Force radio operator and ran for the Army track team. After the war, he earned BBA and MBA degrees from Sam Houston State College. He entered the education field and became the youngest superintendent of schools in Texas at San Perlita in addition to being a teacher and football coach. He later held the superintendent position at Banquete ISD before continuing with a long career in Raymondville, where he was named Outstanding Texas Educator. During the Raymondville years, he became an avid hunter, fisherman, and golfer. He completed his career at Liberty Hill ISD, where he retired with his wife of sixty-two years, Joyce Burden. Bill and Joyce maintained an active role in the community, helping to create the Lions Foundation Park in Liberty Hill, and both were named Melvin Jones Fellows by the Lions Club for their distinguished service. In recognition of his life-long commitment to children’s education, the Liberty Hill School District named Bill Burden Elementary School in his honor. He had many loving friends throughout the years, and the family thanks them for their kindness and caring during his battle with cancer. The family wishes to express a special thank you to Dwight Eaves, Bill’s caregiver, for providing comfort, help, and friendship. Bill and Joyce are survived by their two children, Emily Adney and her husband, Ken Adney, of Bee Cave, and Bill Burden and his wife Lori of Lakeway. They are also survived by their grandchildren: Billy Stohler and Ashley McCloskey, Rebecca Stohler, and Jamie, Jennifer and Julie Burden. Church services will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 101 Church Street, Liberty Hill on Monday September 28, 2009 at 10 a.m. Private graveside services will be for family only. Friends may either send flowers or donations to the Bill Burden Elementary School Library at 315 Stonewall Parkway, Liberty Hill, TX 78642 or the Liberty Hill Lions Club, at P.O. Box 685.