|
a.
|
Continued: Bill Joe Burgess Charlotte Observer, The (NC) - November 18, 2004 Charlotte NC United States Bill Joe Burgess Mr. Burgess, 85, of Huntersville, North Carolina died at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center on November 17, 2004. The only son of the late Henry Jefferson and Melissa Crowe Burgess, he entered the world with the able assistance of his grandmother, a midwife, on November 1, 1919 in Teleco Plains, Tennessee. A World War II United States Army veteran, he spent time in the South Pacific before entering Germany during the Battle of the Bulge. After technical school where he mastered the electrical trade, he worked lifelong in this career. He retired from Reeves Brothers Manufacturing in Cornelius as their mechanical and electrical plant superintendent. Married to the former Esther McLaughlin Ranson on Christmas Eve of 1947, they reared two daughters, who, with his beloved wife, survive him. A member for more than 50 years, he held the office of Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon and Elder at Gilead Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Huntersville. The Elder Emeritus was bestowed on him some years back when he could no longer attend worship services. His funeral, with interment following, will be held there where he spent many hours behind the scenes building, renovating and always repairing the church proper. Dedicated to living the faith that he held dear, his main focus in life was helping those in need. He believed that God's greatest challenge to us was to love our brother as ourselves. A man of great conviction and character, he was a wonderful role model for his children. Loved by all who knew him, he will be remembered as a quiet, humble and selfless individual. Mr. Burgess' survivors include daughters Pamela Burgess Rogers and husband, David, and Kathryn Burgess Godley and husband, Fred, and one granddaughter, Julia Kathryn Carlyle and husband Tom. The absolute joy of his later years was the arrival on the 'family hill' of Logan Burgess Carlyle, Jackson Scott Carlyle and Julianna Kathryn Carlyle, his great-grandchildren. Bill is also survived by four devoted and loving sisters, Ruth Blackwelder, Willa B. Brown, Bette Burris-Warren and Jo Ann May, as well as a dear stepmother, Ethel Burgess. Two sisters, Ruby Robertson and Flora Jean Villanacci preceded him in death. The family acknowledges with grateful hearts the competency and compassion of Dr. Jeffrey W. Nielsen who has cared for Bill these past few years. They are also thankful for the most merciful and tender care from Shannon Ferguson, RN, all his CNA's, Cynthia, Laurie, Brenda, Sharon and Scott as well as his friends at the Lake Norman Dialysis Center. Reverend Robert L. Hunter will conduct the funeral service, with interment following, at Gilead Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 15303 Beatties Ford Road, Huntersville on Saturday, November 20th at 2:00 PM. Visitation with the family will be held on Friday evening, November 19th from 7-8:30 PM at Raymer Funeral Home in Huntersville. Those wishing to memorialize Mr. Burgess may do so with gifts to the Gilead Mission Fund, the Kidney Foundation or a charity of their choice
|