Photo courtesy of Schrader Funeral Home and Crematory - Ballwin
Ballwin, Missouri
Burge, William L. "Bill", 69, passed away of Ballwin, Missouri, Tuesday, December 25, 2012.
Beloved husband of Kathryn Burge; Dear father of Elizabeth and spouse Brian Leeker and William Burge and daughter-in-law Ellie Burge; Loving grandfather of Scott, Adam and Katie Leeker and Quinn Burge; Brother of Jack (Pat) Burge.
William Lewis Burge was born October 18, 1943, in Charles City, Iowa, the son of Guy and Georgia (Linter) Burge. He was a 1961 graduate of Charles City High School and a graduate of Mason City (Iowa) Junior College (NIACC), Butler University in Indianapolis, and Xavier University in Cincinnati. From 1966-1972, he served as an officer in the Illinois Army National Guard.
On August 10, 1968, William was united in marriage to Kathryn Marie Schmidt in Kankakee, Illinois. They made their home in many different areas, adapting to his life-long career in sales and marketing of consumer packaged goods with Lipton Tea (Champaign; Indianapolis; Grand Rapids; and Cincinnati); Paramount Foods (Louisville); Lowes, Inc. (South Bend); United Foods (Modesto, CA and Jackson, TN); and Swedish Match Company (St. Louis).
In 1989, he became an owner of Walco-Linck Company (Valley Cottage, New York), manufacturing and marketing TAT brand insecticide products. Preferring to live in the Midwest near his children and grandchildren, he also maintained an office in St. Louis. The company was sold in 2008 and he was employed by the new owner, Homax Corporation, until 2009.
In 2009, choosing work over retirement, he joined a printing company in Ellisville, Missouri, where he served in a management role until his retirement in 2010.
His many interests included writing and politics and his work enabled substantial travel, particularly throughout the United States.
He was particularly fond of his hometown of Charles City, Iowa, and was an avid collector of Charles City historical memorabilia. He was the only non-resident of Charles City to be a member of the board of the Charles City Excellence in Education Foundation.
Services: Memorial service at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Friday, 4:00 p.m. Interment Private. At his request, a memorial scholarship will be established at the Charles City Excellence in Education Foundation. Memorials may be directed to the Charles City Excellence in Education Foundation, Office of the Superintendent, 500 N. Grand Ave., Charles City, IA 50616. Memorial visitation Friday 2-4 p.m. Friends may sign the familys on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.
Bill will be greatly missed, especially by our class members. He was always holding us together. I will pray for his family in their time of great loss.
Judy Morrell Lumb
January 06, 2013
To Bill's family: I am so sorry for your loss. Bill was loved and respected by myself and my family; he was almost like part of our family since the Charles City days in the late 50's. His smile and twinkle in his eyes was his signature. He is missed.
Michael Flemming
January 02, 2013 | Madison, NJ
My prayers go out to Bill's family and friends. I graduated in 1960. I really enjoyed all his photos and posts on our Charles City Facebook page. He was a nice guy with a great sense of humor.- and we will all miss him. God Bless.
Judie (Moore) Pieper
January 01, 2013 | CA
Mrs. Burge and family. I knew Bill slightly in HS. He was in the class of '61 and I was in the class of '62. Back in 2003 I recieved a message from Bill on Facebook. He wished to visit with me following my brother Mike's death. I met Bill for dinner the night he was in town on business. He wished to write Mike's obituary. We visited quite awhile, Bill told me a couple of stories about him and Mike. I filled him in on the Gorden brothers history. Bill submitted the obiruary to the CC...
Dave Gorden
December 31, 2012 | Apple Valley, MN
Dearest Kathy and family,
Bill will be greatly missed I so enjoyed visiting with him on many occasions. He was a good friend to my brother Brian and an inspiration to our family. May GOD Bless you all in this difficult time. My prayers go out to you all my sincere blessings Linda Crane
Linda Crane
December 29, 2012 | Simi Valley, CA
Our history with Bill and his family goes back many years to his Charles City roots. Bill has continued to reach out to his friends over his life time. We have appreciated his staying in touch with us. His sense of humor was always welcome. He spoke with pride of his family. We are very sorry to learn of your loss.
Keith ( Turp ) North
December 28, 2012 | Arlington Heights, IL
Kathy, we're very sorry for your loss. He is a great guy. We'll never forget the fun times at Rich and Charlie's. China, New York City, Chicago and Charles City were really fun. Can't forget the trip to Eureka Springs. Great times. Maybe we'll share a "Sip of the Dew" in heaven. We'll miss him. Sorry we couldn't be there. But you are all in our prayers.
Jackie and Neil.
December 28, 2012
We will miss Mr Burge as he was still referred to at our house. Always smiling, always caring, always curious, always kind to our entire family. I admired you as a husband, father and grandfather. You were so proud of your family. I know you will be greatly missed but I am glad you are at peace now. Our sympathy to your family members all. The Gauthier Family
December 28, 2012
Kathy,
MY deepest sympathy. God bless you and yours.
Maddie
December 28, 2012
