WILLIAM JOSEPH "BILL" BURKE, JR. ~ Class of
1955
April 19, 1936 - September 20, 2008
Our
father, grandparent, brother, husband and friend, Bill Burke, went to Heaven on
September 20, 2008. He was 72 years old when he unexpectedly passed away. He was
born April 19, 1936 in Chicago, IL, to Caroline and William Burke, Sr. Bill was
raised in Richland, WA after moving from Chicago at the age of 7. He was the
oldest of five children, four boys and one girl. Bill came from an ambitious and
hard-working family. His father was the first male nurse at Hanford and his
mother was the first dietician at Kadlec Hospital.
Bill was a member of
the Knights of Columbus and a parishioner at Christ the King Church. He very
much enjoyed his time with family, attended Mass on a regular basis with his
wife, and was active in his children's lives as soccer and baseball coach. Bill
was a dedicated employee of 30 plus years at Hanford. He was given the nickname
"Stony" because he could tell funny stories to his coworkers without cracking a
smile. Dad was also a sports enthusiast, with a special affinity for Notre Dame
Football and the St. Louis Cardinals.
For the past 36 years, he was
married to Patricia who was his beloved wife. They shared many memories raising
two children, attended many baseball games in St. Louis and Seattle, and
traveled to Cooperstown, NY to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame. Bill and Pat
took care of Bill's great aunt, Francis Denlinger for 20 years before she passed
away at age 97 in 2001. Bill and Pat's children both graduated from college in
St. Louis, MO after attending Christ the King and Richland High School. His
daughter, Jennifer ('91), married, Joseph Indelicato, and works for the Missouri
Department of Health and Senior Services as a Long Term Care Specialist. His
son, Will Burke, married Shawnna Burke, returned to the Tri-Cities, and works at
St. Patrick School as a middle school teacher.
After Bill's retirement,
he and Pat could be spotted on a daily basis walking around Chief Joe's track
with their dog, Gibby. Bill was known to lift the spirits of those he came into
contact with. Bill drove his wife to work at Quail Hallow Retirement Center,
where he loved to visit with residents and staff. Patricia continues to serve
others with her gift as a part time hair stylist and will miss having her
beloved husband drive her to and from work. Together they enjoyed retirement,
which included visiting with friends and watching over their grand-daughter,
Sophia Burke (age 4), who was the light of Bill's life. Sophia and "Bapa" often
thought of one another and when apart they could usually be heard talking about
the other. They truly had a special relationship and Sophia was blessed to have
such a loving, patient, and selfless grandfather. We will always remember Bill
for the way he lived his life, building relationships through respect and
love.
He will forever be known as "Bill, Dad, Herbie, Stony and Bapa."
His legacy was his family, and he always made us proud!
Survivors include
his wife, Patricia Burke; his daughter, Jennifer Indelicato and husband Joe;
son, Will Burke and wife, Shawnna; grand-daughter; Sophia Burke; sister, Carolyn
('61) and her husband, Jerry Rhoads; brother, Charles ('66) and his wife, Suzie
Burke; brother-in-law, John and Claire Majewski; sister-in-law, Barbara and
David Mills; Brother-in-law, Jim Majewski and his Fiance Debbie Holzer. Bill had
many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He is also survived by his beloved
dog, Gibby.
Bill was preceded in death by his father, William J. Burke,
SR.; his mother, Caroline; and brothers, James ('57) and Kevin
('55).
Praying of the rosary will be held at 10a.m. Thursday, September
25, 2008, at Christ the King Church, Richland. The funeral Mass will begin at 11
a.m. A reception, at Christ the King, will follow the graveside
services.
Special thanks to those good Samaritans who tried to save our
Dad, the St. Patrick School, Kadlec Hospital, and those who have been so
compassionate and caring towards our family.
You did a good job Dad, with
everything. We miss and love you always.