Billy Joe was born in Perry, Oklahoma on Dec. 7, 1931. His parents were Chester L. Burke and Helen J Burke of Carlsbad. He attended elementary school in Perry, Okla. His family moved to El Centro when he was 14 yrs old where he played the trumpet in the band at El Centro HS. He graduated from Hi Sch. in El Centro, CA. He was active in sports, his favorite was basketball. he was also a cheerleader and graduated with honors. He served in the US Army after HS, he was stationed in France. He was in business with his parents 25 yrs, they owned the Shell Gas Station and Burkes Garage, in Carlsbad. He was greatly loved by everyone who met him. He is survived by his sister Wilma L. Burke Burgeson, of Chandler, AZ.
