William H. (Bill) Burchett
1916 - 2010

Published in Pensacola News Journal on March 30, 2010

William H. Burchett, 93, of Gulf Shores, AL passed away on March 27, 2010.

Mr. Burchett was born in Grayson, KY in 1916.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Thelma; his parents, Judge W.A. Burchett, and his wife, Bertha McGuire; sisters: Laurel, Ethel, Bertie, Louise, Florence and Fannie; brothers: Robert, Willard and Edward.

Survivors include: son, Bill G. Burchett and wife, Cynthia, Cantonment, FL; grandchildren: Michael Grace and wife, Ann, Gulf Breeze, FL, Billie Lewis and husband, Scott, St. Augustine, FL, Ann Lamb and husband, David, Sammamish, WA, Thomas Grace, Gulf Shores, AL, Erin Grace, Pensacola, FL; great-grandchildren: Haylee Grace, Pensacola, FL, Sarah and Katherine Lewis, St. Augustine, FL, Brad and Seth Lamb, Sammamish, WA, Jade Grace, Gulf Breeze, FL

Mr. Burchett led a full and rewarding life. He served in the Army from 1935 to 1937, when he left the Army he signed up to play baseball with the Cleveland Indians Farm team.

He met his future wife at a friend's house and they were married in December, 1939. The new Mrs. Burchett talked him out of playing ball and he went to work for a local coal company. In 1941 the mine workers joined the United Mine Worker's; Mr. Burchett served as a Union Steward.

On January 7, 1942, he re-entered the Army. After the war they moved to Mansfield, OH, he entered the water well drilling business. He retired from drilling in 1973 and moved to Gulf Shores, AL. During this time he became an Amateur Radio Operator, Private Pilot, 32nd degree Mason, Past Master of Shiloh, OH Lodge #544. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, gardening but most of all, he loved and enjoyed his family.
He will be missed by all who knew him.

The family will welcome friends and neighbors to visit them on Wednesday, March 31 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. to celebrate Mr. Burchett's life, at the family home on Pine Acre Rd.

The family requests a donation to the Honor Flight South Alabama, P.O. 2187, Mobile, AL 36652-2187, in lieu of flowers.