William Wilson Burch, life-long resident of Fayetteville, Ga., died July 29, 2012.
The graveside service will be held at Westminster Memorial Gardens, Peachtree City, Ga., on August 1, 2012 at 11 a.m., with Reverend Mark Westmoreland officiating. Visitation was held on Tuesday, July 31st, from 4-7 p.m. at Carl J. Mowell Funeral Home.
Mr. Burch, the son of John Ambrose and Nell Graham Burch, was born in Inman, Ga., on August 18, 1912. After graduating from Fayette County High School, he worked as a bookkeeper in various companies in the Atlanta area. Later, he, along with his five brothers, served in the military during World War II.
After his military service, Mr. Burch returned to Fayetteville and continued working as a bookkeeper. During these years, he devoted his time to members of his family who lived in the area as well as to friends who were enriched by his kind, gentle spirit and quirky sense of humor. As one who delighted in gardening, Mr. Burch enjoyed sharing vegetables with others. He was also a lifelong, faithful member of Fayetteville First United Methodist Church where he was active in the Murphy Bible Class.
Mr. Burch spent much of his first fifty years giving to others in these many ways; however, a huge part of his heart was given to Julia Edmondson who became his wife when he was in his early fifties. Married for almost 40 years, Mr. Burch and Mrs. Julia cherished their first twenty years with one another, with various travels, and with friends whom they enjoyed entertaining. Then, Mrs. Julia contracted Alzheimer’s Disease which she had for almost 20 years. During these years, unconditionally loving his wife became, even more, Mr. Burch’s primary vocation – as he ministered to his wife daily by making multiple trips to the nursing home, supervising her care, and being by her side until her death in 2002.
Mr. Burch was preceded in death by his wife, as well as his brothers Walter Graham, Howard Lester, Robert Joseph, and James Wilbur, and by his sister, Emily B. Scovill.
He is survived by his brother John Ambrose Burch, Jr., Fayetteville, his sister Mary B. Harwood, Charlotte, N.C., and many beloved nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fayetteville First United Methodist Church, 170 E. Lanier Ave., Fayetteville, Georgia 30214.
Carl J. Mowell & Son, Fayetteville – www.mowellfuneralhome.com.
