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.