Obituary for William Lewis Burton
William Lewis Burton passed away on April 29, 2021. William was born and lived in Battle Creek, Michigan and he created his life there with his absolute love, Janet (Sailor) Burton. He spent his entire professional career as a warrior for the hometown he loved. William embodied the notion of a man for the people. He started as a probation officer for the Calhoun County Juvenile Court and ended his first career as the Director of the Juvenile Home, where he spent the better part of 25 years tirelessly advocating for those he counseled toward a better life. His perfect balance of stern compassion, wit, intelligence, and just a hint of ‘street’, easily created the legend of the man that was “Mr. Burton”.
He stayed engaged singing in the acapella musical group “1952” which he created with his best musical friends and the church choirs at Maple United Methodist Church and Washington Heights United Methodist Church and Community Ministries. He spent years as a photographer, with a particular passion for the annual Balloon Festival and other community events. He found his next chance for change, diving headfirst into a career in mediation and conflict resolution, and working to help his community heal from racism. He helped organize the Battle Creek Committee on Community Affairs, and through his work with the Harwood Institute he remained dedicated to engaging teams toward more effective organizational processes. His passion for this work extended to the Battle Creek Police and Fire departments. William’s final role for his community was the Director of the LIfe Recovery at The Haven.
With his wife and partner in crime Janet, he stayed connected to youth, acting as youth group leaders to both of his church homes. He dabbled in politics, elected to the Battle Creek Public School Board for 8 years.Yet, of all the countless youth that he mentored, counseled, and cared after, there are two who meant the most to him, his two daughters, Jennifer (Michael) Cohn and Melissa (Melvin) Williams. He was the girl dad extraordinaire, forever championing his girls to never settle, understand what a true work ethic means, and to simply live their best versions of themselves. His heart grew 6 sizes too big with the blessing of his grandbabies (Jada, Melvin Jr., Mason, Marcel, and Mia) and great grand baby (Meliah). He is also survived by his mother Katherine Hutchinson, sister Candace Burton, and niece Dawn with her sons Devin and Jacob. To William family and community simply were his life. We rest well knowing his spirit now joins his ancestors before him, including his father Charles Burton.
The family will host a Celebration of William’s life later this month. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations, in honor of William Burton, to RISE in care of Washington Heights United Methodist Church and Community Ministries, 153 N. Wood St., Battle Creek, MI 49037.
He stayed engaged singing in the acapella musical group “1952” which he created with his best musical friends and the church choirs at Maple United Methodist Church and Washington Heights United Methodist Church and Community Ministries. He spent years as a photographer, with a particular passion for the annual Balloon Festival and other community events. He found his next chance for change, diving headfirst into a career in mediation and conflict resolution, and working to help his community heal from racism. He helped organize the Battle Creek Committee on Community Affairs, and through his work with the Harwood Institute he remained dedicated to engaging teams toward more effective organizational processes. His passion for this work extended to the Battle Creek Police and Fire departments. William’s final role for his community was the Director of the LIfe Recovery at The Haven.
With his wife and partner in crime Janet, he stayed connected to youth, acting as youth group leaders to both of his church homes. He dabbled in politics, elected to the Battle Creek Public School Board for 8 years.Yet, of all the countless youth that he mentored, counseled, and cared after, there are two who meant the most to him, his two daughters, Jennifer (Michael) Cohn and Melissa (Melvin) Williams. He was the girl dad extraordinaire, forever championing his girls to never settle, understand what a true work ethic means, and to simply live their best versions of themselves. His heart grew 6 sizes too big with the blessing of his grandbabies (Jada, Melvin Jr., Mason, Marcel, and Mia) and great grand baby (Meliah). He is also survived by his mother Katherine Hutchinson, sister Candace Burton, and niece Dawn with her sons Devin and Jacob. To William family and community simply were his life. We rest well knowing his spirit now joins his ancestors before him, including his father Charles Burton.
The family will host a Celebration of William’s life later this month. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations, in honor of William Burton, to RISE in care of Washington Heights United Methodist Church and Community Ministries, 153 N. Wood St., Battle Creek, MI 49037.