Tributes

Willard J. Burton, age 94, husband of the late Nary Williamson Burton, passed away Monday, May 7, 2018 at his residence. Born January 5, 1924 in Big Sandy, KY, he was the son of the late Hezekiah and Bessie Banfield Burton. He attended Faith Wesleyan Church (Little River, SC) and Sweetwater Branch Baptist Church (Conway, SC). He will be remembered by friends and family as a true servant of God, who was faithful to the scriptures and devotions and to his family. Mr. Burton was a highly decorated WWII US Army Veteran of the First Army, attached to the 82nd Airborne. He served five European Campaigns from Normandy to Berlin. Mr. Burton retired from Dehue Coal Company after 42 years of working as an underground coal miner in Logan, WV. He was a lifelong member of the U.M.W.A. He was also an inventor of mining ventilations and held two patents. Along with his parents and wife, he was predeceased by one son, Michael Edwin Burton, and six siblings. Surviving are two sons, Marvin Ray Burton and wife Sharon Kay and Philip Dean Burton and wife Rebecca Lynn, all of Conway; one daughter, Beverly Janel (Burton) Woodyard and husband Timothy Allen of Canal Winchester, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Crystal Lynn Thompson (Jon), Michael Paul Burton (Adam), Brian Michael Burton, Philip Jason Burton (Miranda), Stefanie Nicole Burton, Paige Alexis Woodyard and Sierra Grace Woodyard; nine great grandchildren, Lauren Skye Samadani (Amir), Kiana Brooke Thompson, Ari Isaac Burton-Lippard, Brynn Logan Burton, Kinsley Madison Burton, Teagan Bryleigh Burton, Clayton Andrew Burton, Mason James Burton and Maizey-Grace Burton; one brother, Rev. Farris H. Burton of Pt. Pleasant, WV; daughter-in-law, Jetta Burton Jernigan of Smyrna, TN; and many nieces, nephews, and family members. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Friday, May 11, 2018 at Sweetwater Branch Baptist Church with Pastor Charles C. Mixon officiating. Entombment will follow at Hillcrest Mausoleum. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:00PM-8:00PM at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Sweetwater Branch Baptist Church, Youth Fund, 1436 Highway 544, Conway, SC 29526. Please sign an online guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel is serving the family.

Tributes

Willard J. Burton

January 5, 1924 - May 7, 2018