William "Bill" Eugene Burkett

William “Bill” Eugene Burkett went to be with his Heavenly Father on February 17, 2022.  Bill is survived by his wife, Natalie Hewett Burkett, and his children, Sara Beth (Hunter) Bryant, Anna Burkett, Will Burkett, and Jordan Long, whom he loved like a daughter. He is also survived by his parents, Nathaniel “Bob” and Alma Thompson Burkett; his brother, Bob (Arlene) Burkett; his sister, Cindy (Hutch) Hutchison; brothers-in-law, Michael (Elizabeth) Hewett and Jamie (Juli) Hewett; eleven nieces and nephews, Martha (Jason) Brackett, Robert (Courtney) Hutchison, Brad (Hiromi) Burkett, Mary (Michael) Veira, Amy (Brad) Ruhmann, Angela (Tim) Young, Daniel Hutchison, Rebecca (Anthony) Tisci, Matthew Hewett, Bryce Hewett, and Hayden Hewett; and eleven great nieces and nephews, Madilyn Brackett, Jameson Brackett, Ashlyn Ruhmann, Brody Ruhmann, Joseph Goodman, Bryson Ruhmann, Ansley Ruhmann, Noah Tisci, Stephen Veira, Rachel Veira, and Nathaniel Burkett.

Bill was born in Orlando, Florida on July 15, 1959. He was raised in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he grew up attending Haverhill Baptist Church with his family. He graduated from Twin Lakes High School in 1977. Bill graduated from the University of Alabama in 1981 with a degree in Civil Engineering, and from Rollins College in 1989 with a Masters in Business Administration. He obtained his Professional Engineering license in 1985, and practiced engineering in Central Florida for over 40 years. In 1994 he was given the opportunity to accomplish his dream of owning his own engineering firm. Burkett Engineering, Inc. has been serving clients successfully for 28 years.

Bill moved to Orlando in 1982 to take a job with Kimley-Horn. He joined First Baptist Church Orlando and began serving as a Sunday School teacher in the youth department. He continued to serve as a teacher and deacon throughout all the years he was a member there. In 1988, he met Natalie on a singles retreat with the church. They became best friends and married on May 2, 1992. Raising Sara Beth, Anna, and Will was their greatest joy. In 2010, they joined Lifebridge Church Orlando where Bill served as a Life Group Leader, Deacon, and Elder. He dearly loved his church family and found great joy in serving.

Bill’s faith in God ran deep. He longed for others to know Jesus as Savior. He loved his family immensely. He was a man of integrity with endless patience. He was known to be dedicated and disciplined. He was known by his children as a “safe place.” He was described by a dear friend as “calm water.” He could be counted on. He was wise and compassionate. He was a lifelong fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide and loved the camaraderie he found throughout all his adult years in church softball leagues.

Bill will be greatly missed by his family and friends. There is great comfort in knowing that although he is no longer here with us in this temporary world, he is in the presence of his Lord and Savior waiting for us to join him one day. That is the hope that gives us the peace that passes all understanding. Bill would agree with David in his Psalm 23:6, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

There will be a Celebration of Life service for Bill held on Friday, February 25th at 11:30am at Lifebridge Church Orlando, 12120 Chase Road, Windermere.

Live streamed - https://lifebridgechurch.org/burkett

Bill took great pleasure in being generous as a way of expressing his gratitude for all God had given him. In lieu of flowers, a memorial giving fund has been established through National Christian Foundation. This fund will be used to support Bill’s church and other faith based charities that he was passionate about. Donations can be made by visiting this link: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0U6S00000cjjk7UAA 

Or, checks can be made out to National Christian Foundation with “The Bill Burkett Memorial Fund” in the memo line. Please mail checks to NCF at 15 N Eola Dr. Orlando, FL 32801.