Willie James Burkett

Willie James ""Buster"" Burkett, 89, of Poplar Bluff, died Friday, November 20, 2009 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Burkett was born June 23, 1920 in Little Rock, Ark. and was retired from the Florsheim Shoe Factory. He was an Army veteran of World War II. Mr. Burkett enjoyed being with his family and friends, hunting, fishing and bird watching.

On July 15, 1946 he was married to Bertha Willcut in Brinkley, Ark. and she preceded him in death on March 21, 1986.

Surviving are three daughters, Darline Thurman and husband Gary, Diane Hart, and Debra Proctor all of Poplar Bluff; one son, James A. Burkett and wife Wanda of Poplar Bluff; eleven grandchildren, Cheryll Rich and husband Jerry, Kelly Godwin and husband Ben, Kyle Kurz, Douglas Freeman and wife Sandra, Thomas Freeman, Amber Burkett, Brandy Avlia, Willie James Burkett, Misty Baker and husband J., Phyllis Robinson and Theresa Chalfant; 15 great grandchildren; and a special friend and former son-in-law, Bill Kurz of Poplar Bluff.

Mr. Burkett was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Alan Burkett and one son, Virgil Burkett.

Visitation will be at 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Monday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home chapel with Rev. Rick Holden officiating. Burial with full military honors will be at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Poplar Bluff.

The family request memorials may be made to the Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102; or the National Wildlife Federation, 11100 Wildlife Center Dr., Reston, VA 20190-5362

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cotrellfuneralservice.com.