Willie Burgess

*Obituary Lovingly Submitted By His Sister, Amber Greene
May you always walk in sunshine and God's presence around you flow, for the happiness you gave us, no one will ever know. The Life of Willie Burgess, AKA Bubba, shall forever be etched in the hearts of each family member and friends he had. He was a man of great character and moral stature.
Willie was born in Georgetown, South Carolina, the second child of Lucille Richardson Burgess and Wilson Burgess on March 10, 1941.
He grew up in a happy household, as he was surrounded by his numerous siblings. Sunday mornings found us all getting ready for Sunday school, as we were grounded in the word of God. The choice was never his nor ours as we filled our mother's Sunday school class.

After graduating from Howard High School, in 1963 Willie enlisted in the United States Military Armed Forces where he made serving his country a career of 21 years in the U.S. Army, and retired as a Master Sargent (E8) in 1984.
Being in the US Army gave him a strong constitution and made him an excellent solider. He was fearless. He encouraged his siblings always to be led by the dreams in their hearts and not pushed around by fear.

Willie was united in marriage to his beautiful wife, the former Miss Grissalley Manning, who preceded him in death.

He spoke his mind with tact and tenacity as he courageously took responsibility for his own happiness, never putting it in other people's hands. He loved a challenge.
His life was excitingly fulfilled as he traveled the world. No matter where he went, he kept that small piece of paper his mother gave him. Those five letters on that small piece of torn paper held his soul captive and brought him through a war that was not his to fight. When he returned home, he opened his wallet and showed his mother the piece of paper she had given him so long ago. Written on that wrinkled piece of paper were the letters J. E. S. U. S - Jesus! Willie took the name of Jesus with him throughout his life and today that name remains with him, embedded in his soul.

Therefore, on Sunday, November 5, 2017, Willie was ready and not afraid as he lay sick in bed. He knew the Master's Hand was at work and it would not be long before he would be in the land of song, reunited with his wife, mother, father, two brothers, Fred and Jackie, and sister, Eartha.
On that fateful first Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m., Bubba saw the Man who would set him free. He held out His hand and led Bubba across the chilly Jordan River. His eyes were like balls of fire and feet like polished brass. He walked over to Bubba's bedside, took the word of God and cut an incision in his heart. Where there was despair, He gave him Joy; where there was pain, He gave Bubba comfort, where there was doubt, He gave him steadfast Faith. Where there was cancer, He made him complete and whole....no more chains holding him down! His Soul is at Rest, Bubba is FREE!

He leaves to cherish his lasting memory, his siblings, Margaret Simmons (Oscar), Savannah, GA, Johnnie Mae Capers (Earl), Macon, GA, Amber Greene (Randy), New York, NY, Bruce Burgess (Carmen), Savannah, GA, Brenda Dozier (William), Georgetown, SC, Frederick Burgess (Doreen), Fort Washington, MD, Hendrick Burgess, Thomas Washington (Evelyn), and Lydella Washington, all of Georgetown, SC; nieces & nephews, Renee Hayward (Darnell), Sonya Eddings, Ayesha Jenkins, Wanka Burgess, Ebony Boynton, Antuan Capers, August Greene, Temal Dozier, Shanice Dozier, Aaron Dozier, Kadeem Smith, Carletta Thompson, Ashley Alston, Dominique Burgess, Whitney Burgess, and Myine Nelson; a host of other loving relatives and friends.

Visitation

HarperTalasek Chapel
506 N. 38th Street
Killeen, TX  76543
Monday, November 13, 2017
6-8 pm

Service

Graveside Services

Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery
11463 State Highway 195
Killeen, TX  76542
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
12:00 noon

Cemetery

Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery
11463 State Highway 195
Killeen, TX  76542