William Julius Burch

William Julius Burch, 84, a longtime resident of Montgomery, AL, passed away peacefully at his home Thursday, April 18, 2013. He was preceded in death by his father, L. Clyde Burch, mother, Susie Sizemore Jones and sister, Tommie Sue Jones. He is survived by his devoted wife of over 27 years, Carolyn Roy Burch, son, Kim (Terri) Burch, Montgomery, AL, sisters, Clara Burch Summerville of Winter Haven, FL, Reba Burch Hadden, Winter Haven, FL, Kitty Fiegle, Phenix City, AL, Elizabeth (George) Forbis, Westmoreland, TN and stepmother, Louise Collier, Winter Haven, FL. Stepsons, David Randall “Randy” (Frances) Warlick, Christopher Paul “Chris” Warlick, grandson, Michael Warlick, granddaughter, Michelle Warlick all of Montgomery, AL. Visitation will be Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at Leak Memory Chapel followed by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. with graveside services in Greenwood Cemetery. Julius was employed with the Alabama Department of Revenue for 10 years and retired from the State Military Department with a total of 32 years state service. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Toledo. His family meant the world to him and all who knew him loved his wonderful sense of humor. The family would like to acknowledge Dr. Robert Avery and his staff for the excellent care Julius received during his illness. Memorial contributions can be made to Amedisys Hospice Care, 8160 Decker Lane, Montgomery, AL 36117. Online condolences may be made at www.LEAK-MC.com.

My Dad, Julius Burch (JB), was born in Hartford, AL (Pond Town) on 10/6/1928. The town was founded in the mid 1800’s by Seaborn Burch, one of his ancestors.

His sister, Clara and he were raised in a very poor setting and did not always live with their parents but were always happy together and have lots of good memories growing up.

JB joined the Navy at the age of 17 and was on the ship USS Toledo. There he helped print the ship newspaper and learned about printing for 22 months.

He came home to Hartford and met Jean Blount got married and moved to Montgomery AL.

JB had 1 son Kim. He and Jean worked very hard to support their family, things were not always easy but they always had a good life.

JB worked at Montgomery Fair for a while selling Men’s clothes. He then took on three jobs: Selling cars at the Pontiac place, working at WSFA TV and St. Jude’s Church running a printing press and Jean worked with the State.

JB always worked on his own cars and lawn mowers and taught Kim about mechanics and how to work hard.

JB and Bob Boutwell (his best friend who reminds you of James Arness in Gunsmoke, both JB and Kim’s favorite TV show) loved to hunt and fish and always took Kim with them and they had many wonderful times together. JB and Jean also enjoyed cooking out and spending time with Bob and his family.

Bob also helped JB to get a job at the Alabama Department of Revenue helping run the print shop so he only had one job and could spend more time with his family and doing things he enjoyed.

Kim, at the age of 15, got a little out of hand and JB gave him a good attitude adjustment that lasted a lifetime (best thing that ever happened to him you could not do that to someone now). Kim went to work at the age of 16 and has always worked hard ever since.

After 27 years of marriage JB and Jean went their separate ways.

JB went to work for the State Military Department running the print shop and met Carol Warlick and had a wonderful time working there. He made many friends and married Carol who he loved dearly. They both retired from the Military Department after 22 years.

JB loved to spend his vacations down in Florida visiting with his family. He especially enjoyed fishing with his brother-in-law Monte Hadden. Monte was a teacher and always had stories to tell his students about my dad. JB was proud of all of his family and loved to tell them jokes and was very sharp.

JB and Kim were coming back from hunting after starting at 4 a.m. Kim was driving and very tired. JB was talking about his cousins that he grew up with and how proud of them he was (Billy and Windell Vickers became doctors and Dallas Vickers who helped designed the Farley nuclear plant). Kim asked JB how come you never amounted to anything. JB came back in less than a split second and said I had a son dragging me down most of my life. JB and Kim laughed about that all the way home. All Kim could say was “Sharp, Very sharp”. They always have laughed about that JB had a great since of humor. Kim knew his dad had amounted to something very special. He had love in his heart for everyone and had God in his heart also.

Right before Bob Boutwell passed away he told Kim to keep JB busy. Keep Him Busy! Kim did keep him busy. In the last 6 years JB, Kim, and Terri (Kim’s wife who JB thought of as a daughter) cut 10 miles of roads/trails through the woods with chain saws, clippers, and tractors.

JB would come home worn out to a warm supper Carol had ready for him and she had him ready to go again the next day. JB loved Carol very much and Kim always remembers him singing the song “Sweet Caroline” along with the radio. Carol and JB had 27 wonderful years of marriage and she always treated Kim like a son.

JB fought Skin cancer since 1970 and was cut and burned on many times and never complained. He developed Burkitt Lymphoma in July of 2012 and went through 3 non-aggressive and 3 aggressive treatments with quality up until the last few days of his life thanks to a very special Oncologist Dr. Robert Avery, Amedisys Hospice care, and the good Lord. To sum it up he fought life’s battles and won. ROLL TIDE!!!

JB loved each and every one of you.