William Edward Burguieres passed away on August 12, 2018. He was born to Mary Ellen Bell and Edward Burguieres on June 25, 1931 in Weeks Island, Louisiana. Bill grew up in New Iberia, LA where he graduated from St. Peter’s College and played football, baseball and basketball.
Bill joined the Navy in 1948 and served for 5 years during the Korean War. Bill married the love of his life in 1931, Margaret Jane Dosier (Dody). Together for 72 years and married for 67 years they began a joy-filled life together while Bill was serving in the Navy. They first lived in Philadelphia then onto their beloved Key West, Florida where they spent 2 1/2 years. After an honorable discharge, Bill began his career in sales back in Louisiana then onto Tallahassee, Florida. Bill's sales career eventually led him to owning several businesses. During this period, Bill's business partners — Jack Caven and Dick Bloodgood — became life-long family friends. His business offices were always known to be a place of good work filled with laughter and joy.
Bill and Dody moved to Jacksonville, Fl in 1958, where they raised 4 children; Robert Burguieres (Keri Leake), Liz Collins (Michael Collins), Deborah Tomlinson and Sue Sebesta (Bob Sebesta). In retirement, Bill's main focus was his 8 grandchildren; Dr. Lauren Childers (Chip Childers), Trey Tomlinson (Lovisa Svallingson), Tyler Tomlinson, Michael Collins, Jr., James Sebesta, Kathleen Sebesta, Beau Burguieres and Logen Ferwerda. His legendary Camp Pop-Pop, afternoons in his garden, experimenting with fireworks, shooting the bebe gun, trips to the candy store and sharing a pizza at Pizza Palace at the end of the day are some of the great memories Bill created for his grandchildren.
Bill was a life-long Catholic and during his 60 years in Jacksonville, he and Dody were members of Resurrection Catholic Church, St. Paul’s Catholic Church (Riverside), Assumption Catholic Church and Holy Family Catholic Church. Their 4 children attended St. Paul’s Catholic School (Riverside) and Bishop Kenny High School. Bill was also very involved with Kairos Prison Ministry for over 35 years, visiting prisoners and as acting as chairman for several years.
His hobbies included visiting prisoners, golf and watching his beloved LSU Tigers. Bill spent more than 10 years volunteering at the The Players Championship at Sawgrass. Trips to Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, final four games, and college world series were just some of the many sporting events Bill and his friends enjoyed through the years together.
Bill is survived by Dody, his wife of 67 years, 4 children — Bob, Boo, Deb and Suzy, 8 grandchildren — Lauren, Trey, Tyler, Michael, James, Beau, Kathleen and Logan, 2 brothers — Robert Naylor Burguieres (Mary Ann), Albert Burguieres, 1 sister — Rosalind Ruckstuhl, many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and a grand nephew.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents — Edward Burguieres, Mary Ellen Bell and his sister Gwen Ruckstuhl.
A visitation, rosary and reception will be held on Friday, August 17, 2018 from 6-8 PM at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel 4801 San Jose Blvd, Jax FL 32207.
Catholic Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 18, 2018 at Holy Family Catholic Church at 11:00 AM 9800 Baymeadows Rd. Jax Fl 32256. A light luncheon reception will immediately follow at Camellia at Deerwood 10061 Sweatwater Pkwy Jax FL 32256.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Kairos Prison Ministry at
http://kairosfl.org/donate.html
“Be joyous and take care of each other!”
– Bill Burguieres August 2018
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