William Gilbert Burton

William (Bill) Gilbert Burton, age 85, of Marion, Kansas, passed away on June 9, 2024. 

Bill was born on September 4, 1938 to Annie (Patterson) and Gilbert Burton in Rumley Township, Harrison County, Scio, Ohio. He was the second born of five children. 

Bill grew up in Scio with his siblings. They lived and worked on a family farm, which Bill enjoyed. He attended high school in Scio, where he was a part of FFA and 4-H. Bill graduated from Scio High School in 1957. 

On March 2, 1958, Bill joined the United States Air force. He was stationed at Schilling Air force Base in Salina, Kansas, then was sent to Guam and stationed there. 

Bill met Marilyn (Scheuerman) while based at Schilling and married her on July 17, 1959. They welcomed a daughter, Kimberly Kay on March 30, 1960. On March 15, 1963 they welcomed a son, Randy William. On February 13, 1965 they welcomed another son, Rusty Wayne. They later divorced. 

Bill moved his family to Perrysville, Ohio in the early sixties. Bill worked hard to support his family while living in Perrysville and enjoyed that his children were able to spend time with their cousins. After a few years of living in Ohio, Bill and his family returned to La Crosse, Kansas and he started working at Marlette Mobile Homes in Great Bend in the late sixties. Once the La Crosse Furniture Factory was built and open, Bill went to work for them as a fabric cutter. 

On January 23, 1976, Bill married the love of his life, Charlotte (Miller) Burton. Bill and Charlotte met while working together at the La Crosse Furniture Factory. Charlotte had three children from a previous marriage: Julie Scheideman, Robin Scheideman and Patsy Kline. Bill loved them like they were his own. 

Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Marion, Kansas. While living in Marion, Bill started working at Branson Truck Lines, hauling cattle. In the summer of 1982, Bill and Charlotte moved to Ohio to begin their careers of owning and operating a dairy farm. Bill enjoyed owning a farm where his children, nieces and nephews could learn valuable skills. 

In the winter of 1985, Bill suffered a massive cerebral brain hemorrhage, while out getting firewood. He relied heavily on his faith to get him through this challenging time. When Bill came home from the hospital, he opened his bible and the verse that stood out to him was Mark 5:19. “Jesus would not let him. Instead, he told him, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how kind he has been to you.” From this point forward, Bill did not take for granted the life the Lord had given him back. 

While living in Ohio, Bill and Charlotte made the decision to open their home for children in the foster care system. In 1988, they decided to adopt Carol Benavidez and Bobby Burton.

In 1990, Bill and Charlotte made the decision to leave the dairy farm and move back to Marion, Kansas. The two continued to foster children upon arriving in Kansas. During this time, Bill opened a bait shop and was loyal to his customers, even when they needed bait in the middle of the night. 

In 2002, Bill and Charlotte moved to Newton Kansas. Bill went to work as a maintenance man at Norcraft. He continued to work until shortly after he turned 80 (2018) then he retired. 

In his spare time, Bill enjoyed spending time with friends and family, going to church, singing, playing instruments, fishing, collecting, gardening and going on drives with Charlotte. 

Bill was loving and supportive. He enjoyed making others laugh and teasing his grandchildren. 

Bill is preceded in death by: His parents Annie (Patterson) and Gilbert Burton, Charlotte Burton (Wife), Robin Scheideman (Step-Daughter), Robert Burton (Brother), Donna Leggett (Sister) and Madison Baylor Spears (Great Grand Daughter). 

Bill is survived by his siblings Edward Burton, Judy and Wayne Rogers . Children: Kim and Artie Herrman, Randy and Cindy Burton, Rusty and Tonya Burton, Julie Scheideman, Patsy and Mike Kline, Carol Benavidez, Bobby and Crystal Burton. Fifteen grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren, along with many foster children also survive Bill.

William’s family will gather with friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 21, 2024, at Yazel Megli Funeral Home, Marion. Funeral Service for William will be held 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Yazel Megli Funeral Home, Marion. Burial will follow at Marion Cemetery. Memorial contributions in William’s name may be directed to the American Parkinson Disease Association or to Good Shepherd Hospice . Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of William at www.yazelmeglifh.com