Willie B Burks

Willie B Burks was born to the late Willie Mathis Burks and the late Evelyn King Burks, in Texasville, AL. Willie B was fondly known by his nickname B.B. He attended Barbour County Training School and was a 1972 graduate of Louisville High School. Upon graduation he joined the U.S. Navy. He was a graduate of Tuskegee Institute and Chauncey Sparks Technical College where he earned his certifications and became a certified welder. He was employed by Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula Mississippi, Carter Manufacturing in Ariton, AL, and American Buildings in Eufaula. AL.

Willie B was an easy going, hard- working man.  He loved to work!  It was nothing for him to work 10 hours a day, 7 days a week and come home and work some more.  He enjoyed and took pride in his work. He loved the outdoors, working with animals and nature. He was one of the best yard men around. He enjoyed working on junk cars, lawn mowers, and anything that had a motor. He had a yard full of cars and things that he loved fixing and tearing up. He had a strong work ethic and passed it on to his children. He believed in 2 Thessaloniana 3:10 “If a man don’t work, a man don’t eat”.

Willie B. was a Member and Deacon of the Salem Baptist Church where he attended faithfully until his health began to decline. He was a Louisville City Councilman for many years.

Willie B was a simple and quiet man. He was a faithful and loyal provider for his family. He loved his wife and children and made sure that they never wanted for anything.  If you wanted to see him stirred up, just mess with his wife or children.

He leaves his memories to his devoted wife of 43 years Dr. Mary Anne Thompkins-Burks of Louisville, AL; four children: Maurk Burks of Suffolk, VA, Steevin & Shermeka Cowart –Burks of Center Point, AL/Killeen Texas, Merri & Reginald Hicks of Eufaula AL, and  Khrisszabien & Sandra Foy Burks of Fort Gaines, GA; nine grandchildren who he loved dearly: Kamiyah Burks, Jeramyah Foy, Ty’Erika Cannon, Samaria Burks, Khrisstain (KD) Burks, Zytaveon Burks, Trace Burks, Maurk,(MJ) Burks, Jr., and Hayden Hicks; and one Great Grandson: Kaiden Foy.

Three brothers: Pastor Willie C (Lavonia) Burks of Louisville, AL, Willie Mathew, Jr. (Nettie) Burks of Louisville, AL, Pastor Bruce (Marilyn) Burks of Louisville, AL; two sisters: Catherine Henderson of Lake Alford, FL and Mary Dean (Elder Jake) Smith Ozark, AL; three sisters and one brother preceded him in death: Lorene Burks-Virgin, Lula Burks-Baxter, Sarah Burks-Blackmon, Janie Burks-Coley and A.C. Burks. He also leaves three brothers- in-law: John D. Baxter, Willie C. Blackmon, and Matthew Coley.

He also leaves fond memories to his in-laws: Arthur Earl (Jackie) Thompkins, Elizabeth (Zachary) Howard, Lizz (Jimmy) Rumph, Rosetta (Mark) Lane, Linda McCray, Angelina Walker and David Hobdy.  He also leaves memories to his special friends, Lawrence Cannon, Robert (Slab) Griffin, Joe Boykin, Joe Howard, Orlando Curry, Jason Grubbs and Will Farrow and a special young man he considered his son Jeffery (Boo Man) Moreland.  He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

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