William Charles Burk

Bill started delivering newspapers in Guthrie, Oklahoma, which led to being a photographer and sports editor of the newspaper, and being a correspondent for the Associated Press. He served his country in the US Coast Guard from 1941-1945 during WWII. Following the war, in 1946, he started to work for the Santa Fe Railway, in Los Angles, as a staff photographer. He continued in positions in Chicago, Topeka, Kansas, and finishing up his career in Chicago as Vice President of Public Relations after completing 37 years in 1983. He was involved in Sigma Delta Chi Society of Professional Journalists, a founding member and later served as president of the Chicago Press Club, and was active in the Public Relations Society of America.

Locally, Bill was a member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Rogers, where active in various church activities, and was a founder of the St. Andrew’s Columbarium.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary M. Burk (deceased Feb. 12, 1988).

Survivors include his children, John P. Burk (Margie) of Wheeling, Illinois, Cathy Burk of Garland, Texas, Donald W. Burk (Darnell) of Jacksonville, Florida; sister, Jean Dickerson of Waverly, Ohio; grandchildren, Joe Burk, Casey Burk & Jack Burk; great grandchildren, Angel Burk & Madison Burk.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2013, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Rogers.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to St. Andrew’s Columbarium Fund, PO Box 339, Rogers, AR 72757.

Cremation arrangements are by Rollins Funeral Home of Rogers.