William Joseph Burke Jr.

1946 - 2021

William (Bill) Joseph Burke, Jr., 74, a long-time resident of Baton Rouge, LA and having spent the last couple years in Flowood, MS succumbed to complications of dementia on October 25, 2021. He was born in DeWitt, Iowa, on December 28, 1946 to Mattie and Bill Burke Sr. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Linda Drummond Burke. Bill was a life-long coach and educator. He graduated from St. John Catholic High School in Gulfport, Mississippi, where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. He attended Perkinston Community College on football and baseball scholarships and completed his college education at Mississippi College in Jackson, MS. Coach Burke was a head football coach and athletic director at various high schools in the Baton Rouge area including Zachary, Tara, Woodlawn and Central Private Academy. He cherished his relationships with high school and college teammates, fellow coaches and a host of golf buddies. They gathered often over the years and into retirement to play golf and vacation with their families.Bill and Linda enjoyed traveling and spending time with their grandchildren. He golfed at courses throughout the United States and in other countries including Ireland. He was a long time member of the Irish Channel Marching Club of New Orleans and marched in every St. Patrick Day parade as long as he was able. His most memorial trip, however, was to the University of Notre Dame to tour the football stadium of the Fighting Irish and the office of Coach Lou Holtz. Survivors include Bill's children and grandchildren; Stephanie Stovall of Slidell, LA, and her daughters Delaney, Maya, and Marigny; Kevin Burke of Slidell and his son Bailey; and stepson Tracy (Christy) Ladner of Flowood, MS, and their children Ian, Emma, and Eli. Surviving siblings include Mary (Alan) Guthrie, Gretna, LA; Susan (Jimmy) Mabus of Philipp, MS, and Barbara Burke of Los Angeles, CA. Bill will be missed by his many nieces and nephews and his extended family in Iowa. A Catholic mass will be held in memory of Bill at a later date. He will be buried beside his wife Linda in Bogalusa, LA. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to the American Alzheimer's Association in his honor.