A memorial service for William Howard Burke, 83, of Demorest, was held Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Clarkesville First United Methodist Church in Clarkesville. Inurnment will follow at the Yonah Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Burke, loving husband and father of three sons, passed away Friday, Nov. 6, 2020.
Born July 28, 1937, in Habersham County, he was a son of the late Frances and Alley Burke. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Dean Alley Burke; and brother-in-law, Kenneth Skelton.
He graduated from North Habersham High School in 1955 and attended Georgia Tech.
In October of 1957 he married the love of his life, Eugenia Galfas. The couple resided in Atlanta where Howard worked for Southern Bell Telephone Company. They were blessed with thre boys born one year apart from each other. Shortly thereafter they moved to Stone Mountain where they lived for 15 years and raised their boys. It was then that Howard decided to partner in a telephone business, Key Installation, Inc. As their boys got older, he split from his partner at Key Installation to start his own telephone business, Key Four, Inc. The "four" representing the three boys and himself. He made the most of the "manpower" God had blessed him with. Teaching his boys, not only a valuable trade, but most importantly the value of hard work. A proud father who always referred to them as "Champions of Industry."
Howard retired at the young age of 50. Several years later, Eugenia and he moved back home to Demorest. He enjoyed returning to his hometown and being five minutes from anywhere. He loved working outside, looking for the next deal, collecting coins and sitting on the beach with his feet in the sand next to his bride, Eugenia. However, his greatest joy was spending time with the family Eugenia and he created.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Eugenia Burke; sons, Brett Burke (Nancy) of Demorest, and Jeff Burke (Gini) of Pendleton, South Carolina; daughter-in-law, MaryAnne Burke of Roswell; brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Gail Burke of Clarkesville; sister, Jean Skelton of Cleveland; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, North Chapel, Demorest.