William Burden

Obituary for William Ray (Bill) Burden

“…what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God”. Michah 6:8

It has also been said the greatest compliment that can be given a man is that “he is a good man”. William Ray (Bill) Burden, a good man, died at the age of 105 on January 28. Bill was born June 29, 1919, near Anton to Isiah Burden and Della Ann Daughtery Burden. He was one of the eight children born to the union, all his siblings having predeceased him.

While working on a farm, Bill was called into the US Army in August of 1941. A competitive baseball player and life-long Cardinals fan, he spent his last weekend at home pitching at the newly constructed city park field. At the age of 95 he returned to that pitching mound to throw out a ball for the Madisonville Miners, after which he complained he didn’t have enough juice on it.

When Pearl Harbor was attacked, Bill was home on leave but immediately joined his unit for a cross-country train trip to San Francisco to a ship waiting to take them to Hawaii. He landed after the new year 1942 and returned home in October 1945, but not before being in the Philippines’ invasion and the battle of Okinawa, the bloodiest battle of the Pacific. Years later, people would notice he wore a WWII cap and thank him for his service. He would reply he didn’t wear it for recognition but in memory and honor for those who didn’t come back.

In 1946 Bill married Corine Hibbs, his loving companion and rock, a perfect match for a blessed and happy marriage that lasted for 54 years until her death in 2000. Together they sowed seeds of kindness, compassion, and generosity that were felt by many, including their neighbors and the Second Baptist Church. For the next 24 years, Bill humbly continued the good works.

Bill is survived by several nieces and nephews and his caregivers who were also his family: Mary Barnett, Rachel Eagan, Patricia Minton and Betty Howton. All who loved Bill appreciate the exceptional professional and personal care Dr. Dianne Goodale gave Bill and Corine for more than 25 years.

Funeral services will be at 2 pm Monday at Barnett-Strother Funeral Home preceded by visitation at 1 pm. Burial will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Paul Burden, Mark Minton, Dwain Eagan, Wes Alford, Joe Collins and John Whitfield.

Anyone wishing to honor Bill’s memory may contribute to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky, 3419 Wathen’s Crossing, Owensboro, KY 42301, or to a charity of the giver’s choosing.