Ltcol. William P. Burroughs, Usaf (Ret.)

On January 8, 2019, William P. Burroughs (Bill) ended his earthly habitation and started his eternal journey to a place of serene joy and happiness in the presence of God.

William Perry and Olga Burroughs welcomed their bouncing baby boy into the world on June 3, 1928, in Toledo, Ohio. He joined his “favorite” and only sister, Grace, with whom he shared a special and loving relationship until she passed away in 2017.

Bill attended elementary schools in Toledo and then had the opportunity to attend Saint Benedict Catholic Boarding School in Milwaukee, WI. He returned to Toledo for his junior and senior years at Scott High School. He was a great athlete and had a passion for sports. He participated in football, basketball and track. During his senior year, he was named captain of the football team, the first African-American in that position. After graduating from high school, Bill attended Fort Valley State College, where he and six of his friends had been recruited to play football. They became known as the “Ohio 7”, and they led the team to an undefeated season and SIAC championship in 1947. In addition to the other sports, Bill also developed a great love for swimming and became a certified lifeguard and worked summer jobs as a guard. Bill continued to enjoy Fort Valley University sports throughout his lifetime. He was inducted into the Toledo Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014 and received many other awards through the years.

Following graduation from college with a degree in Business Administration, Bill joined the Air Force and attended Officer Training School. After a few years of service, he transferred from active duty to the Air Force Reserves and eventually retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During these same years, he worked in civil service for the federal government, mainly at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH as a procurement officer. He moved to Maryland and worked as a contract negotiator with the Corps of Engineers until his retirement.

During his years in Dayton, Bill was actively involved in community activities. He was an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, serving as Polemarch for many years and working tirelessly on their many youth projects. He was very active with Resurrection Catholic Church and its charitable activities. Fostering his love of sports, he also worked with community recreation groups and served as a track coach for many years.

After retirement, Bill pursued his dream of returning to Fort Valley, GA and he briefly worked at his beloved alma mater as Alumni Director. Growing tired of 8-5 workdays, he switched to working in real estate and did that for fifteen years. He continued his public service dedication and volunteered with the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins and the Christian Service Center at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the latter for ten years.

Throughout his lifetime, Bill always dedicated time to attending family celebrations and events of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren around the country. This was a great joy in his life.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and sister. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 35 years, Marie Burroughs; sons, Ronald Williams, Toledo, OH and William P. (Billy) Burroughs, III. Dayton, OH; daughters, Dianne (Robin-deceased) Jones, Tinley Park, IL and Donna Burroughs, Dayton, OH; ten grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren; former spouse and mother of his children, Nancy Rutledge; special friends from childhood, Rubelle Ashley, Robert Sciplin, and Richard McCown; the BUBBA CLUB-Henry Lee, John Dye, John Bennett, and Ruben Jordan (Chopper); and a host of family, extended family, and dear friends. Bill was blessed with a fruitful and productive life and was always surrounded by family and friends.

A Rosary will be said on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. with a Visitation following until 8:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 18, 2019 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Afterwards, Mr. Burroughs will be laid to rest in Andersonville National Cemetery with full Military Honors.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with Mr. Burroughs’ arrangements.