Billy R. "Coach" Burnette
February 23, 1942 ~ February 26, 2013
Billy R. “Coach” Burnette, 71, Mooresville, died peacefully at home on February 26, 2013. Billy was born February 23, 1942, in Alamance County, North Carolina, to the late Harvey and Iola (Liggins) Burnette.
Billy graduated from Jordan Sellars High School in 1960, and he proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Billy was employed as an instrument technician for Eli Lilly & Company for 35 years, retiring in 2002. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church, Mooresville. An active community member, Billy served as the vice president and president of Mooresville Little League. He also was a board member of the Mooresville Senior Center. A longtime cancer fighter, Billy was actively involved in the Mooresville Relay for Life. He was an avid golfer and softball player who always had a new joke or trick for his friends. Always an active person, he enjoyed gardening and home improvement projects. He will be missed by a loving family and many friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Harvey Burnette, Jr.
Survivors include his wife, Geraldine (Johnson) Burnette, to whom he was united in marriage January 14, 1967; sons, Jeffrey Burnette (Barb) of South Bend and Andrew Burnette (Jennifer)of Avon; “adopted daughter”, Kim Burnette of New Carlisle; brothers, Paul H. Burnette (Mary) of Sedalia, North Carolina, Walter Richard Burnette of Burlington, North Carolina; sisters, Linda B. Trotter (Allen) of Elon, North Carolina, Ricky B. Mebane of Graham, North Carolina; grandchildren, Emily and Alice Burnette; Kelsey Burnette; aunt, Iola B. Martin (Leonard) of Burlington, North Carolina; step brother, Thomas Earl Dixon of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; a host of nieces and nephews.
According to Billy’s wishes, cremation will take place at the Morgan County Crematory, Mooresville. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2013, 1 p.m., in the First Baptist Church, 680 N. Indiana Street, Mooresville. Friends may visit with the family from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the IBMT Patient Assistance Fund, 8111 S. Emerson Avenue #207, Indianapolis, IN 46237 Attn: Julie Starr. (Envelopes will be provided at the church.) Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. Visit www.carlislebranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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Iola Burnette was added to the Family Tree.
Jeffery Allen Burnette was added to the Family Tree.
Andrew Ray Burnette was added to the Family Tree.
Kelsey Nicole Burnette was added to the Family Tree.
Emily Rae Burnette was added to the Family Tree.
Alice Jan Burnette was added to the Family Tree.
Nancy Fenstermaker sent a virtual gift in memory of Billy R. “Coach” Burnette
Bill was always a happy person with positive advice and down to earth. he will be missed. Prayers to the family for strength and comfort. Nancy Gershanoff-Fenstermaker
a favorite of mine…….he had fun everwhere he went. Always had a laugh to share.
They look so good together. You are both in my prayers and he will be missed. Love,Carole
Geraldine Burnette was added to the Family Tree.
Sending our deepest condolences from the Liggins family . Pattie Liggins -Tinnin (daughter of Stadler& Lemontary Liggins ) and the Liggins grandchildren. ~ Mebane, NC
Billy is already deeply missed! He always had a way of making everyone around him laugh. I hope that we all can keep his memory alive and cheerful even amidst this moment of deep sadness. My sincerest condolences to Billy’s wife and family. Love you all, Gina Stephens
Billy will always be apart of my life , just as you are. , He fought hard now he has no more suffering and heartache. Billy laugh is what i remember most about him and he had a heart of Gold. He will be missed .Love u all.
‘Earth has no sorrow that heaven can not heal’. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Deborah Dixon Brown (cousin) and family Burlington, North Carolina
I was truly honored to have known Billy. Really enjoyed getting to know him and had a lot of fun playing on our church softball team. We lost almost every game we played for 2 years in a row . But, win or loose Billy was there and always had a smile on his face and joked around with all of us. You are truly missed Billy Paul Jones
Your ready smile, your kind heart, your words of care and encouragement, your sense of humor, your hugs, your little gifts to Laylah, your high fives, and your strength and positive attitude through trial are all things that I will miss about you, Billy! But, I’m comforted knowing that you have finally overcome your long, hard-fought battle! Knowing you was a blessing to me, and I will miss you!
I will always remember Billy coaching the church softball team! The year that he decided that he wasn’t going to actually play anymore, he passed down his softball mitt to my son Cole. I know that mitt will always be a treasure to him!
You will forever be in my heart. You were such a blessing to me and my girls and we are so sad to see you go, but we understand it was time to go home so you wouldn’t suffer anymore. Bill you knew me since I was just a baby and watched me grow up and have all my baby girls. What a wonderful grandpa you were to all of us. Thank you for being there for us and keeping your faith strong. What an inspiration you were for me. I love you and miss you. Miryam says that Papaw Bill had to go live in our hearts with Jesus. Amazing four year old. I know you are proud of her. Keep smiling!!!!!! Love you!!!!!!
What a great cousin, he will be missed dearly here in North Carolina by the Herman and Arthenia ( Liggins) Burnette family. May he rest in peace. Love, Peter W. Burnette & family
UNCLE BILLY I WILL MISS THE WAY YOU MADE US LAUGH AND THE GOOD TIMES WE SHARED. PROUD TO BE YOUR NEPHEW . ROD
Uncle Billy you will be missed. Gerrie, I love you and my thoughts and prayers are with you!
Billy, We are glad that we were able to connect after so many years. We enjoyed every visit with you and Gerrie. We will miss you, but now you are free of pain, and we will cherish our memories. John and Peggy Dotson
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. Bill, I have an empty space in my heart, because the Lord called you home on 2/26/13. It seems he needed another angel in heaven, and he got a good one. I know that for sure, because I spent 46 year’s with you. We had our up’s and down’s, but our faith in the Lord helped us through those times, as well as our faith in each other. I miss you dearly, and thing’s won’t be the same around here, but I know your in a far better place with no more pain and suffering. Praise the Lord! I know I’ll see you again someday, until then keep that smile on your face, and don’t loose that since of humor. When I look to the heaven’s I know you will be looking down on me. Remember: I Will Alway’s Love You!!! Jerri
Lovely tribute Sis…….your strength is truly admirable. I know it comes from your faith so I know it will sustain you always. I know your ‘special angel’ is looking down on you too. Love you, hugs and prayers always. San
My deepest condolences to the Burnette Family. I only knew Billy for a short time, but from day one truly loved his personality. I know this is a great lost for the family but keep in mind the wonderful promise the Bible holds out of seeing Billy alive again with no pain. Jesus likened Lazarus death to sleep. We can think of Billy as just sleeping & very soon now Jesus will awaken him by means of the resurrection. This comforting promise is found at John 11:25-26. Warmest regards, Brenda Sougue
Jeff, Andy and family– I know how much your Dad meant to both of you boys growing up. He and your mom were always there to support you while you were running. I always found him to be a very kind and gentle man who had his family first. I will not be able to come on Saturday as I would wish. I already have a commitment in Fort Wayne for the weekend. But, I will be thinking of you and your Dad. From my family to yours our condolences and sympathy on your loss. He will be missed. Dave Crumley & family
What a wonderful blessing Billy Ray was to us all! We all looked forward to his newest gadgets and jokes with each visit. Although he will be greatly missed, we are happy to know that God has a great new member in heaven! Love, Aunt Ola and the Martin Family Burlington, North Carolina
I was Billy’s mailman. He always met me at the mailbox with a smile and a handshake. A true gentleman in every sense of the word. I’ll miss him. All my best to the family.
Geraldine Burnette was added to the Family Tree.
Harvey Burnette was added to the Family Tree.
Sadden to hear of Billy’s death. It was always good to see hiim at Lilly and to talk with him. He and I retired the same year. I will always remember him coaching my son in little league. Thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Burnette family and all those who were touched by Billy – Your Relay For Life of Mooresville Family
I am so sorry to hear about your husband. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I am saddened to hear of the passing of Billy. He was always such a sweet man with a quick smile! Heaven has gained another great one! May God comfort his family in this time of loss. Wanda Serletic
Billy always made Relaying more fun, he was a great man, whom I will miss dearly. I hope they have candy bars in heaven, Billy Mary Weber
Our good memories of Bill include Little League coaching, Relay for Life, and breakfast at Biff’s. Rest in peace. ~Nina and Paul Langley
I was saddened to hear of Bill’s death. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Jo Ann Neal Owen
Billy was a good guy, thoughts and prayers to his family
A blessed soul. Such a friendly and kind spirit. It was a blessing participating in Relay with Billy. RIP. The Young and Guillaume Families. ‘Team Ohana’
I worked with Billy for a couple of years at Lilly. I always looked forward to chatting with him. He was always so kind, calm and gentle in spirit. I am so glad that he is with his Maker. I will always remember his warmness. My prayers to his family, Emily Harter
I was blessed with the opportunity to meet and take care of Billy over the last 8 yrs. From the beginning he never felt like a stranger, he always had a smile on his face even when he didn’t feel like smiling. He was one of the kindest persons I’ve ever met and I will miss seeing and talking with him. He cared for others and always talked with me about my Grandfather with whom he worked with at Lilly and inquired about my children. Indiana Blood & Marrow Transplantation staff will miss seeing and caring for him (and family) and you are in our thoughts and prayers. Melanie Shanklin-Coleman, RN
We knew Billy for many years. He was a dear friend and a co-worker of my late husband, Alan Nuetzman and our family. Billy was so kind to everyone and always had a smile on his face. He would visit with Alan while he was battling cancer and always gave Alan a reason to laugh. He will truly be missed! His family will be in our thoughts and prayers. Mary Nuetzman Eaker
Jeff Burnette is following this tribute.
Sam & Darlene sent a virtual gift in memory of Billy R. “Coach” Burnette
I was saddened when I learned of Bill’s passing. Bill had a good attitude and would always take the time to see how things were going and to encourage me to do my best as a youth. He never lost that trait. I enjoyed a lot a baseball and friendships because of Bill and his family. Thanks for the memories, Bill.