Celebrating His Life
William (Billy) Alexander Burnette, Jr.
Sunrise: March 30, 1962 - Sunset: October 16,2014
HomeGoing Services:
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Burthey Funeral Home
1510 Fayetteville Street
Durham, North Carolina 27707
“If I can help somebody along the way, then my living shall not be in vain"
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Dedication to Our Brother
Brother Billy, you know I’m not as original and creative as you are
when it comes to writing dedications, papers, poems, etc. So when I
heard this song by Celine Dion, I said to myself these words express
exactly how we feel about you and probably others who read this. No
need to recreate the wheel, Brother Bill (LOL) , This says it all!
"Because You Loved Me"
“For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful to you Billy
You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through it all
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
You Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me
You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love I had it all
I'm grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don't know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by you
You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining your brotherly love into my life
You've been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me!” …….Tish & Alvin
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Obituary
On March 30th, 1962, a Genius, a Saint, A Messenger named William (Billy) Alexander Burnette, Jr.
was born to William (Ramp) Burnette, Sr. and the lovely, Ruth Stroud Burnette at Freedman’s
Hospital in the District of Columbia. Mr. William Alexander Burnette Jr., age 52 was called suddenly
into the presence of Jesus on Thursday, October 16, 2014.
William (Billy) attended Montgomery County Public Schools (Rolling Terrace Elementary, Piney Branch
Middle School, Takoma Park Junior High) until he accepted an academic/athletic Scholarship
from St. John's Military School where he was a star athlete until his graduation in June of 1980. Billy
continued his education and accepted an offer to attend Elon College in Elon, NC where he played on
the football team until he transferred to the Virginia Union University (VUU) where he met his 1st wife,
Theresa Howell. They met in August of 1984 and married four weeks later on September 18 th, 1984.
From this union they created 3 beautiful children. Billy and Theresa were together for 10 years.
Billy decided to experience the marriage life for the second time. He was married to Tanya Tibbs from
July 1999 to 2007.
Upon his return home after attending VUU, his father’s alma mata, he decided to join his father in the
family business that became his life long career, that of a Master Barber. Billy worked in several of his
father's Barber Shops until he was handed the reigns at the Riggs Plaza Barber Shop where he
created an environment of home and safe haven for those that were less fortunate in the community.
In Psalm 9:18 it says: For the needy shall not always be forgotten; the expectation of the poor shall
not perish forever. Billy believed that all walks of people deserved a fair chance in life. Over the years,
Billy was always taking someone under his wings. He would treat them as if they were his very own.
These types of gestures showed others how kind, caring, loving, supportive, grateful and selfless of a
person he was to everyone.
Billy had a special way of making people feel joyful while in his presence. He was always willing to
lend a helping hand to members of his family, friends and to the community. One thing you all
know about Billy is ..if you were ever in need of a haircut due to a job loss, financial hardship or you
may have just forgotten your wallet. Billy would hook a brother or sister up with a haircut with no
hesitation and wouldn’t even want them to worry about any form of payment A Thank You was enough.
He was one that loved to give to others and gave his life to Jesus Christ. He enjoyed biblical
discussions with so many people and always seemed to be in the know of current events.
William was survived by three children, William (Bear) Alexander Burnette, III (wife Carin) Tiara
(Tee Tee) Burnette-Sartin (husband Shuermain), Chelsie (Fats) Burnette all of Adelphi MD, one
grandchild, Christian Ellis Sartin of Adelphi. Md, one sister Virgilia (Tish) B. Campbell-Whitter
(husband Calvin) of Adelphi, Md and brother Alvin Rory of Silver Spring, Md, his loving Uncle Hugh T.
Stroud of New York, Uncle Lucius Priester, Jr of New York, Uncle Harvey Burnette (Aunt Betty) in
Durham, NC. Uncle Charles Worth, Cleveland, Ohio, Aunt Evelyn Alston from Carrboro, NC and
Gwendolyn Stroud of New London, Connecticut; Nephews: Calvin Kobe Campbell, Anthony Kiro
Campbell in Adelphi, Md and Kaleb Mekhi Burnette in Scaggsville, Md., The Haynes Family (Fred, Jr,
Felicia, Maurice, Regina and Timmy) and a host of Nephews, Nieces, Cousins, and Friends.
He leaves three best friends and a special cousin. Godfrey Morgan, his brother’s keeper, Aurie
Haynes Eke, Best Friend Forever From the Start (BFFFTS), Renee Fennell, his sister from
the heart! Wanda Alston, his North Carolina Cousin who always had a special bond!
William was preceded in death by his parents William Alexander Burnette Sr., Ruth Stroud Burnette
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
Order of Service
Officiating
Burthey Funeral Home
Organ Prelude
Processional
Opening Hymn
Prayer of Comfort
Fred Haynes, Jr
Old Testament Scripture
New Testament Scripture
Lucius Priester, Jr
Ronald Scott
Musical Selection
Reflections
Regina Haynes Cosley
My Letter to You
Renee Fennell
Reading of the Obituary
Read Silently
(Celine Dion’s Song – Because You Loved Me)
Musical Selection
Eulogy
Benediction
Recessional
Westwood Cemetary (Fidelity Street, Carrboro, NC)
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B happy
B kind
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caring
B loving
B
B
selfless
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PALLBEARERS
Calvin Kobe Campbell
David Durham
Godfrey Michael Anthony Morgan, II
Dante Morgan
Mark Anthony Morgan
Shuermain Sartin
Alonzo F. Woods
Antonio M. Woods
HONARARY PALLBEARERS
Ward Finch
Godfrey Morgan
Ronald Scott
Fred D. Haynes, Jr
Maurice J. Haynes
Timmy J. Haynes
FLOWER BEARERS
Renee Fennell
Aurie Haynes
Regina Haynes
Felicia Haynes
Joyce Ntim
Pam Dickerson-Carter
REPAST
122 Fidelity Street
Carrboro, North Carolina
ARRANGEMENTS BY:
Burthey Funeral Home
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