William Burgess

William B. Burgess NORFOLK - William Baxter Burgess, 95, lifelong resident of Norfolk, died Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009. Born Jan. 13, 1914 to Gertrude Thumm Burgess and William Moore Burgess, he was predeceased by his loving wife of 61 years, Nell Anderson Burgess; sister, Louise B. Bishop; and brother, Edward H. Burgess. He graduated from Maury High School, Class of 1932, and attended classes at the Norfolk Division of William & Mary College (now ODU). Baxter was a veteran of World War II, and served as master sergeant in the U.S. Army 69th Infantry Division, "The Fighting 69th", he served in the 888th Field Artillery Battalion in Europe. He was a longtime member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Norfolk where he served as a lay reader. Baxter was a member and past Master of the Owens Masonic Lodge No. 164 AF&AM for more than 60 years. He was a District Deputy Grand Master, Associate Grand Chaplain, and served on the Committee of Finance of the Grand Lodge of Virginia. Baxter was also a past president of the Norfolk Optimist Club and the 21st Street Business Area Association in Ghent. Baxter worked for many years at the Building Supplies Corporation of Norfolk as secretary/treasurer and retired as president of the Norfolk Baltimore and Carolina Line Shipping and Transportation Company, located where Harbor Park now stands. Survivors include son, William B. Burgess Jr. and wife Mary of Holyoke, Mass.; daughter, Leslie B. Parks of Virginia Beach; and son, Scott A. Burgess and wife Mary of Chesapeake; grandchildren, Justin B. Burgess, Jonathan B. Burgess; and three great-grandchildren. A funeral will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, in The Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 405 Talbot Hall Road, Norfolk by the Rev. David Davenport and the Rev. Samantha Vincent-Alexander. Burial with Masonic rites will follow in Elmwood Cemetery, Norfolk. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Alzheimer's Association, 6350 Center Drive, Suite 102, Norfolk, VA 23502. Online condolences may be sent to hdoliver.com.