William was born about 1881.
William Burnett Sr., born August 4, 1880, Eldorado, Arkansas, was the first child of Dawson and Adeline Burnett. Sixteen (16) brothers and sisters followed him in birth, all of whom have preceded him in death, with the exception of one brother, Fred.
Mr. Burnett began his Christian life in 1889 at an early age of nine years when he became a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Chidester, Ark. William and Caroline were joined in Holy matrimony on Nov. 19, 1903 and eventually became the parents of 10 children, all of whom are now living with the exception of two who preceded him in death.
Mr. Burnett was officially ordained a deacon in 1905, thus beginning his glorious reign as a devoted deacon for sixty years. In the year 1920. Deacon Burnett moved to Camden, Ark. Where he was affiliated with the St. Paul Baptist Church, and served as deacon under Reverend L. C. Dean until the year 1951.
It was in this year of 1951 that Friendship Baptist Church was blessed with the membership and deacon ship of Brother Burnett, for it was in 1951 when he took up residence in Fort Wayne at 529 East Lewis Street.
He later retired from the Allen County Memorial Coliseum, and spent a great deal of the time employed in the occupation for which he was best suited, that of being a friend to man. Many persons shared his philosophy of life; and his kindness, friendliness, his devoted to his wife and family and his independence are etched in the hearts of many. He has been an inspiration to many, and has long been known to the by-passers as "Grandpa".
His survivors included his wife, Caroline: sons John, Theodore, Edward, William Junior, Arthur, and Rev. James Burnett; daughters, Mrs. Lillian Adams, and Clara Chambers; Brother Fred; 34 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren.
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