AMBLER HILL BURTON

BURTON, Ambler Hill, a former sheriff of Dinwiddie County, died Thursday, May 20, 2010 at his home in Dinwiddie County. He was born January 15, 1925, the son of the late John Lemuel and Alice Gilliam Hill Burton. Well known in Dinwiddie County and throughout Southside Virginia, Mr. Burton graduated from Dinwiddie High School in 1943. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served in World War II. After the Navy, Mr. Burton joined the Virginia State Police. In 1958, he was appointed Sheriff of Dinwiddie County, and he served in that position until 1971. Mr. Burton then farmed until he retired in 1986. Mr. Burton was President of the Virginia State Crime Clinic in 1969 and taught law enforcement classes at John Tyler Community College while sheriff. He served on numerous community and civic boards, and was a former President of the Virginia Sheriffs Association and a member of the board of the National Sheriffs Association. He also was a former Commander of Dinwiddie Post 149 of the American Legion. He was a life-long member and longtime chairman of the board of Prospect Christian Church. Mr. Burton is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marian "Peggy" Parker Easley Burton; a daughter, Martha Ann Burton; twin sons, Richard Hill Burton and John Steven Burton; a grandson, William Briggs Burton; a sister, Carrie Paige Burton Kemp; and nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service for Mr. Burton will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 24, 2010, at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home & Cremation Service. Burial will be private. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Tidewater Academy, 217 Church Street, Wakefield, Va. 23888. The family is being served by the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home where condolences can be registered at www.jtmorriss.com.



This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.